Brent Cabinet this morning agreed a £5m payment towards the cost of step free access to to Alperton Station, mainly funded by Transport for London. The proposals are for lifts to the platforms rather than bringing the hidden escalator back into use. Other improvements include the toilets. The proposal will involve the loss of the barber shop at on the left of the station forecourt.
The Cabinet were told that the improvements were necessary because of the new building in the Alperton Growth Area increasing the densification of the area. Cllr Muhammed Butt claimed this was a good use of Strategic CIL contributed by developers to improve infrastucture in areas of development..
The Cabinet Report gives details:
The station has a disused escalator currently hidden from view which accesses the main ticket hall and formerly served the east bound platform. TfL is proposing to use this space to provide one of the platform lifts. Additional space made available on the east bound platform will include some updated waiting facilities.
Delivery of the lift for the west bound platform is more complicated, due to the limited public access only currently provided from the main ticket hall under the underground lines. This, which provides access to the stairs, cannot be modified to incorporate access to a lift. Creating an additional adjacent tunnel under the lines will be prohibitively expensive due to the made ground nature of the structure above. It would also be very disruptive possibly requiring line or station closure. So, TfL will instead use a tunnel structure that currently is made inaccessible on the eastern side by the commercial unit (barbers) currently visible on the station frontage. This commercial unit will need to be removed, and access provided through it from the main ticket hall to a lift. TfL will conduct appropriate negotiations with the current tenant. The shopfront feature will be retained.
In addition to these changes, to address current passenger flow capacity issues at peak times, the number of barrier gates will also be increased. Off the main ticket hall three toilets will also be provided, one of which will be of accessible design, and all of which will incorporate baby changing facilities.
Alperton Liberal Demcrats put out a press release claiming the decision was a win for their campaigning:
The Liberal Democrats are celebrating a major win for Alperton as Brent Council has finally approved a long-overdue upgrade to Alperton Underground Station.
Thanks to years of persistent campaigning— by Liberal Democrat Councillors in Brent and Lib Dem London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari — Alperton Station is now set for a transformational refurbishment including:
● Step-free access to make the station fully accessible for everyone, including those with mobility issues, parents with buggies, and older passengers.
● Increased number of ticket gates to ease overcrowding and reduce daily congestion at peak times.
● Upgraded, fully accessible toilet facilities for a safer, more dignified experience for all passengers
The works are projected to start in 2026, and be completed in 2027. Current plans assume the station will be able to remain open.
Alperton councillor, Charlie Clinton said:
This is a huge win for local residents who’ve been ignored for too long. Alperton has been the site of hundreds of new flats, and while we do need more homes, this has strained local services to the limit. These upgrades are way past due.
