London Underground’s last wooden escalator to be replaced with a lift

Alperton tube station

Alperton tube station, which has the last wooden escalator on the London Underground, is set to receive two new lifts, making the station fully step-free for the first time.

The station, which has stairs to the platforms above the street-level entrance, had partial step-free access on the London-bound platform when an up escalator was installed and came into use on 27th November 1955. That escalator wasn’t new, though, as it had been taken from the Dome of Discovery at the Festival of Britain and was reused at Alperton tube station.

Although it provided some assistance, it was limited to just the London-bound platform and usually only worked in the up direction. The escalator fell out of use in 1988 and was subsequently decommissioned, so it didn’t need upgrading following the 1987 King’s Cross fire.

However, although it has been out of use for a long time, it remains in place, hidden behind a closed-off wall.

Now, Brent Council has agreed to partially fund the cost of installing two proper lifts at the station, making it fully accessible at last.

Using funds collected from property developers in the area, Brent Council has agreed to contribute up to half of the costs (capped at £5 million) towards the cost of providing the two new lifts for the station.

With approximately 6,000 additional homes expected to be built in the local area, the station is expected to see a significant increase in passenger numbers. In addition, at least 600 of the homes will be designed to be wheelchair accessible, so there is heightened importance in ensuring local transport meets the new residents’ requirements.

To improve access to the tube station, Transport for London (TfL) has been working on concept design plans for an upgrade since discussions with the council last year. Now that the council has approved the £5 million it has offered towards the cost of the new lifts, TfL can proceed with detailed design and costings before submitting a full planning application.

It currently expects the full cost to be between £10 million and £16 million.

TfL considered replacing the disused escalator with an inclined lift of the sort used on the Elizabeth line, but ultimately decided that while they would use the space where the escalator is located, it would be for a standard vertical shaft lift instead, as that’s easier for maintenance.

The new lift will provide fully step-free access from the street to the eastbound platform.

There is still a slight step down from the platform to the train, so staff will be able to provide mini-ramps if needed.

A TfL spokesperson said: “We started design work last year on a potential step-free scheme at Alperton Tube station, building on previous feasibility work that had been carried out. TfL very much welcomes the confirmation of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding from Brent Council towards the scheme.”

“It’s essential that TfL and local authorities continue working together to help achieve a city where the public transport network is open to everyone, with the delivery of schemes being prioritised where there is third party funding available.”

Subject to TfL confirming its side of the funding and planning approval, it’s currently expected that construction could start next summer and the lifts come into use in the summer of 2027.

And when that happens, Alperton tube station will cease to be a pub quiz answer to which is the last tube station to have a wooden escalator.