The Forum’s Transport topic group has submitted comments on Crossrail’s preliminary designs for Ealing Broadway station to the Council, as part of a co-ordinated effort to get changes before the formal consultation begins in the autumn.
We have raised three main areas of concern: poor access to and from the platforms, the weak design of the new entrance, and uncertainty about how shops and offices will be protected.
The plans still include no escalators and lifts which we think will be inadequate to allow for Crossrail’s forecasts of passenger numbers, particularly for the needs of less mobile people. It remains our view that in the absence of escalators the planned lifts are not large enough and the exit from platform 3
We also believe the designs for the new entrance are not of a quality we would expect, consistent with being immediately adjacent to two conservation areas. An opportunity to improve the whole of what is now a very undistinguished frontage is being lost.
Third, there is little detail about the impact of the new entrance on what will remain for shops and other commercial users. As the main gateway to Ealing’s town centre, the station should be the core of a prime retail and office location serving local people and visitors. Once again the chance to upgrade the area with improved facilities and design seems to have been ignored.
The plans are currently on view on the Council’s website. The Forum welcomes comments from all those affected, so that we can try to get the best possible outcome for residents, businesses and visitors for the future.
We have raised three main areas of concern: poor access to and from the platforms, the weak design of the new entrance, and uncertainty about how shops and offices will be protected.
The plans still include no escalators and lifts which we think will be inadequate to allow for Crossrail’s forecasts of passenger numbers, particularly for the needs of less mobile people. It remains our view that in the absence of escalators the planned lifts are not large enough and the exit from platform 3
We also believe the designs for the new entrance are not of a quality we would expect, consistent with being immediately adjacent to two conservation areas. An opportunity to improve the whole of what is now a very undistinguished frontage is being lost.
Third, there is little detail about the impact of the new entrance on what will remain for shops and other commercial users. As the main gateway to Ealing’s town centre, the station should be the core of a prime retail and office location serving local people and visitors. Once again the chance to upgrade the area with improved facilities and design seems to have been ignored.
The plans are currently on view on the Council’s website. The Forum welcomes comments from all those affected, so that we can try to get the best possible outcome for residents, businesses and visitors for the future.
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