Greenford station gets lift after decades of frustration

But the one moving in the other direction was shelved because resources were so scarce after the Second World War.

Decades later and disabled passengers, or those encumbered by heavy bags or push chairs, are still struggling when using the National Rail or Central Line.
Transport for London (TfL) will install a lift and widen the two staircases. Work will begin early this year, finishing in late 2010.

The move has been applauded by residents but they say it does not go far enough.

Frank Kilduff, chairman of the North Greenford Residents' Association, said: "The whole community will be very pleased as it's going to be a big help for disabled people, but it doesn't help the average commuter.

"It will take some pressure off the staircases but it can't carry as many people as an escalator.

"With both the overground and underground at times you get about 150 people coming down those staircases at once. They're long and you get people pausing in front or bumping into you, you have to watch your step and keep your wits about you. A moving escalator means you can just stand still.

In this day and age we deserve a proper escalator and I'm hoping they'll find the resources to put one in, and not in another 61 years."

Ealing Passenger Transport User Group has been pressing for better access for years. Chairman John Beeston, said: "It's been a tremendous problem for people, with mothers with push chairs forced to make long walks or take buses because they're forced to avoid the station."

Ealing North MP Steve Pound added: "It's the best possible Christmas present I could have asked for.

"Although most of my constituents will say they'll believe it when they see it, it looks as though we've finally got we were promised in 1941."

A TfL spokeswoman said: "While we'd like to make all 270 Tube stations step-free, with limited funds available we have to do this in a phased way.

"Greenford was chosen because it has a National Rail interchange and has more passengers using it than the surrounding stations."