Council wins major concessions on Shepherds Bush Underground

by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
01/02/2008

The council has won major concessions from TfL over the botched closure of Shepherds Bush Underground Station.

Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, explains, “No one seriously wants to see the closure of Shepherds Bush Underground Station but given the fact that TfL have already made up their minds it’s up to the council to help minimise disruption to residents who currently use the station. 

“We are now focusing our efforts on things that matter to residents – minimising the length of the closure, putting an increased number of alternative methods of transport in place and getting TfL to put in a lift to ensure step free access in the new station.”

Concessions already won by the council include persuading TfL to cough-up a seven figure sum to pay for extra buses. Following intense council pressure TfL has agreed to run ten extra 148 buses during all peak hours and six extra buses during all off-peak hours. These buses will carry passengers from Shepherds Bush to Notting Hill Gate tube station – the next large station on the central line.

Cllr Greenhalgh continues, “I made it clear at the public meeting last week that the council expects TfL to do everything they can to limit the disruption caused by their decision to close the station.”

With the station set to close from Saturday 2 February for up to eight months the council is also pressing TfL on the length of the closure.

Cllr Greenhalgh continues, “We have invite TfL to a transport summit to bottom out a range of transport foul-ups in the borough. We will be demanding urgent answers on whether the eight month works can be condensed in anyway. TfL should be paying contractors to work around the clock if necessary.”