The tube station would become the third in Enfield borough to have lifts installed, reports Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter

Arnos Grove Station could soon be getting lifts (inset)

Arnos Grove Station has been announced as one of three tube stations on the Piccadilly Line set to get accessibility upgrades from Transport for London (TfL).

Step-free access works will take place at Alperton, Arnos Grove and Eastcote, the transport authority has confirmed, following feasibility research last year.

A further seven stations – Colliers Wood, Croxley, East Finchley, Neasden, Northwood, Tooting Broadway and Turnham Green – will also undergo feasibility assessments for similar upgrades.

It will see Arnos Grove become the third tube station in Enfield to become step-free, after Oakwood and Cockfosters.

Alex Williams, TfL’s chief customer and strategy officer, said: “More than a third of underground stations across the capital are step-free and we’re working hard to increase this number to help create a fairer, more accessible and inclusive transport network, opening up more of London to everyone.”

Mayor Sadiq Khan is working towards a goal of making 50% of tube stations step-free by 2030, but TfL has cautioned that this will depend on the organisation’s future funding position, with schemes prioritised where there is third party funding available.

Responding to TfL’s announcement, Joanne McCartney, London Assembly member for Enfield and Haringey, said: “London’s world-class public transport should be accessible for all Londoners. I’m delighted that Arnos Grove Station is moving forward to the next stage of design to make it step free.

“While there is still work to be done, I am proud that since 2016, the number of step-free stations across London has increased by 20%, meaning there are now more than 200 on TfL’s network.

“I’ll make sure TfL do everything they can to make step-free access a reality across Enfield.”

The latest announcements come after TfL revealed in February that work was to start at Northolt Station to make it step-free, and that design work will start at North Acton and at West Hampstead.

John McGeachy, campaigns manager at Age UK London, said: “Step-free stations have the potential to transform the daily lives of older and disabled Londoners, as well as many others.

“We really welcome the start of design work towards making three more stations step-free, as well as news that more stations are to be assessed for their potential to be made step-free.

“Increasing the number of step-free stations on the Underground network will make life easier for people that have faced too many barriers for too long.”

Step-free schemes at Colindale and Leyton tube stations are currently in progress, with Colindale now closed until December while work to give the station a larger ticket hall and make it step-free continues. Detailed design work is taking place at Leyton Station, ahead of the construction contract being let later this year.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.