Westfield London
£200 million boost to public transport
Public transport in W12 is receiving a £200 million boost with two new stations now open and a major refurbishment for Shepherds Bush Underground. The major investment also includes a new bus station and routes.
Shepherds Bush Overground station on the north/south West London Line opened on September 28. It provides a new stop between Willesden Junction and Kensington Olympia and is fully accessible, with a low height ticket office and two lifts either side of the footbridge. TfL will run new three-car trains from the New Year and is planning to extend them to four-car trains from 2010.
A brand new Hammersmith & City line station – called Wood Lane – opened at the junction of Wood Lane and Ariel Way. The new station is the first to be built on an existing Underground line for more than 70 years. The new stop, between Shepherd's Bush and Latimer Road, serves the north-east entrance of the shopping complex.
Shepherds Bush station on the Central line has upgraded security and information systems, as well as new ceiling, wall and floor surfaces. There is also a new double-height ticket hall, additional gates and better ticketing facilities. However, H&F Council is still calling on TfL to provide step free access as part of future improvements.
“TfL pledged to put step-free access into this station and, while we welcome the fact the station is re-opening, the council and community groups intend to hold TfL to their promise of providing step free access," says Cllr Nicholas Botterill, Cabinet Member for Environment. "We won't let this matter rest."
A new bus station will run a bus a minute in either direction through the Southern Interchange. The station is scheduled to open in November will the following local routes expected to be extended: 31, 49, 148, 207, 237, 260, 607 and C1.
Cllr Botterill added: "Shepherds Bush can now realise its full potential with the help of some very welcome public transport improvements."
The good news for public transport links comes as the council issued a warning to TfL to do more for west London motorists.
TfL’s own research proves H&F already has the most clogged-up streets in London with a staggering 7.6 million hours lost in traffic every year. The council Leader has warned that without urgent action, on issues like the phasing of traffic-lights and better north-south routes, drivers will be left further behind.
Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, says: “We are very pleased that, with the council’s help, these important new public transport improvements have the green light to open. But TfL must not forget about west London’s drivers who seem to be constantly stuck on red. The council will continue to press TfL for urgent solutions.”
Page last updated: 31/10/2008
