Unlike the escalator itself, the wheels are officially in motion to replace the London Underground’s last remaining wooden escalator with two shiny new lifts. Having been decommissioned in 1988 (after the tragic King’s Cross fire of 1987), the rather outdated piece of machinery isn’t in use anymore. In fact, it hasn’t actually been set foot on for almost forty years. But it has been left untouched, tucked away behind a closed-off wall in north-west London. Until now.
Alperton Station is where you’ll find the last wooden escalator on London’s transport network. The tube stop has been home to the retro relic since November 1955when it was taken from the Dome of Discovery at the Festival of Britain, and installed at the station. But Alperton is now set to receive a step-free makeover that will see London bid a final farewell to the wooden escalators of the city’s past.
Brent Council has officially agreed to join forces with Transport for London to help partially fund the refurbishment of Alperton station. Brent Council will contribute half of the total costs (well, up to £5 million worth of them) to make the Piccadilly Line station fully accessible for the very first time.
Alperton Station’s revamp
The revamp will see the wooden escalator removed, making way for some slightly more useful machinery. Two lifts will be installed in its place, making the eastbound platform completely step-free. The westbound platform has proved to be a tad more difficult, though. The tunnel that runs under the railway towards the platform doesn’t quite reach the full length due to the station’s original design, meaning that a lift cannot currently be installed. There is an alternative tunnel behind the retail space at the front of the station, though. But the barbershop that currently occupies that space would need to close in order for a lift to be installed there.
With approximately 6,000 new homes being built in the local area (600 of which will be designed to be wheelchair accessible), Alperton station is set to see a substantial increase in footfall. And the local transport needs to meet the needs of all residents. The upgrade plans also include more ticket barriers and accessible toilets being installed.
A spokesperson for TfL said: “It’s essential that TfL and local authorities continue working together to help achieve a city where the public transport network is open to everyone, with the deliver of schemes being prioritised where there is third party funding available.”
If all goes to plan, construction could start next yearand the lifts could be operational by summer 2027.
