Local Fury Over TfL U-Turn

Greenford Station won't get promised lift as project deferred

Ealing Council and local MP Steve Pound have hit out at Transport for London’s (TfL) decision to deny tube users step free access at Greenford underground station.

In a letter to the council, Richard Parry, Managing Director of London Underground, said TfL would have to defer indefinitely the project to install lifts in Greenford Station for financial reasons, despite having already started the building work.

The decision will leave hundreds of wheelchair users and parents with young children in pushchairs unable to use the station. Schemes at Osterley, West Kensington, Amersham, Ladbroke Grove and Newbury Park have also been cancelled.

The Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Jason Stacey, said: “This is an utterly ridiculous and disgusting decision and one that I will be challenging. It beggars belief that TfL will still have to spend money on reversing the substantial work that has already been carried out at Greenford station. I believe the duration of these works will take approximately nine months.

“In these tough times, would it not make more sense to finish the work rather than write off months of wasted work and taxpayers’ money. This is not the way to operate in a recession and quite frankly I’m appalled with their reckless attitude.

“Commuters who use Greenford Station have been campaigning for more than 20 years for lifts to be installed and there has been no consultation with the council or local residents about this decision.

“I am calling on TfL to make public the figures surrounding the works at Greenford underground station so we can all see just how much public money will have been wasted should this decision stand.”

North Ealing MP Steve Pound has put party politics aside and joined the Conservative council leader to protest about the decision.

On the Ealing Today forum Mr Pound says:

'' I have to say that I entirely agree with Jason Stacey on the issue of Transport for London pulling the plug on the long promised and desperately needed lift at Greenford Station.
I understand and appreciate the right of the Mayor of London to set spending priorities and yet am at a total loss to know how to tell long suffering commuters that their fares are going through the roof while their lift has gone out of the window.''

Mr Pound says he will be having a 'brisk' word with the Mayor.

October 30th, 2009