If funding is secured the Piccadilly Line station could become fully accessible by 2026

TfL wants more tube stations to become fully accessible, including Arnos Grove (inset)

Arnos Grove has been included on a list of ten tube stations that will be prioritised for step-free access upgrades by Transport for London (TfL).

The Piccadilly Line stop was identified by TfL using an approach focused on “benefits to customers”, such as reducing journey times for those needing to use step-free access and reflecting issues that impact the delivery of step-free access, such as the feasibility of new lifts, sufficient space for work to be carried out, and the depth of each tube station.

If Arnos Grove is made step-free, it would become the third London Underground station in Enfield to be made fully accessible, after Oakwood and Cockfosters further up the line.

Currently only one-in-three London tube stations are step-free. The others included on TfL’s priority list are Alperton, Burnt Oak, Eastcote, Finchley Road, Northolt, North Acton, Rayners Lane, West Hampstead and White City.

The ten stations will be assessed to understand the scope of work involved and the best way to deliver step-free upgrades including costs, benefits, funding opportunities and impact on customers. Regarding funding, TfL says it is “committed to working with development partners and boroughs to identify investment opportunities” and, where possible, TfL will match investment funding by partners.

Subject to funding being identified and the outcome of feasibility studies, this could mean the works to make the first of the ten stations step-free completing in 2026.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I am committed to ensuring London’s world-class public transport network is accessible for all Londoners. While there is still work to be done, I am proud that since I became mayor we have increased the number of step-free stations across London by 20%, meaning there are now more than 200 on TfL’s network.

“I’m delighted to announce the next ten tube stations TfL will review for potential step-free access, and I am determined to keep working to deliver a public transport network that is accessible to all as we build a better, fairer London for everyone.”

Andy Lord, London’s transport commissioner, said: “More than a third of the tube network is now step-free, and we have also delivered the step-free Elizabeth Line, as well as improvements on the London Overground, but we know that we must do more to make London’s transport network truly accessible and inclusive.

“This is why we’re working with partners to fund even more step-free access at tube stations and these stations are a key part of these plans to create a more accessible public transport network that benefits everyone.”

Caroline Stickland, chief executive officer for Transport for All, said: “We are extremely pleased to see more stations being made step-free, bringing us one step closer to an equitable, accessible transport system for all.

“Currently, only one-in-three London Underground stations has step-free access. This shuts disabled people out of vast swathes of the network, forcing us to take long and convoluted routes, and even preventing us from travelling entirely.

“By offering more targeted investment to prioritise areas that will have the widest impact, this policy can make a meaningful difference to the lives of disabled Londoners.”

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