Palmers Green and Alexandra Palace Station upgrades make progress
Works to upgrade Palmers Green and Alexandra Palace stations are finally set to make progress according to an update obtained by Joanne McCartney AM, Labour London Assembly Member for Enfield and Haringey. In a letter to Network Rail, Ms McCartney expressed concern over the lengthy time being taken to start these projects after both stations were awarded “Access For All” funding in 2013 by the Department for Transport to address issues faced by passengers with disabilities or restricted mobility.
In their response, Network Rail stated that they have now completed the outline design for Palmers Green station and a contractor has been appointed to provide a lift to each platform, which will be accessible via the ticket office. There will also be accessible toilets on Platform 1. Work will begin at the end of 2023 and be completed mid-2024.
Works on Alexandra Palace station are still some way off but a lift will be installed to each of the four platforms, connected to the existing footbridge, which will be remodelled and strengthened. In addition, the existing east-side ramp will be replaced by a new one with a more accessible gradient with level access in the station entrance area.
Network Rail are aiming to have a contractor in place by June 2023 and expect enabling works in late 2023, and for construction to begin in 2024, with works set to be completed by Spring 2025.
Labour London Assembly Member for Enfield & Haringey, Joanne McCartney AM, said:
“I have long been concerned that work on these stations has not progressed as initially promised, and I have written to Network Rail, Ministers, and others many times over the years to press for progress. I’m pleased to see good progress on works at Palmers Green but I urge Network Rail to push on with Alexandra Palace to ensure this project does not slip any further.
“I want to pay tribute to all the residents and colleagues who have been fighting for these upgrades, campaigning hard and demanding better accessibility for all members of the local community. Making these stations more accessible will open travel into London for more people.”
Notes to editors
- Joanne McCartney is the Assembly Member for Enfield & Haringey.
- Text of update sent to Joanne McCartney on Friday 24th February 2023:
“Dear Ms McCartney,
Thank you for contacting our chief executive, Andrew Haines, for an update on the Access for All programmes at Palmers Green and Alexandra Palace railway stations. Andrew has passed your enquiry to me, as Senior Public Affairs Manager for the East Coast, to provide a full update.
As you are aware, Access For All schemes are awarded funding by the Department for Transport to address issues faced by rail passengers with disabilities or restricted mobility when using railway stations.
For Palmers Green, we have recently completed the outline design for the Access for All project. A contractor has been appointed and the detailed design process for the project is now progressing, along with necessary enabling activities such as land purchase. The project will provide a lift to each platform, which will be accessible via the ticket office.
Network Rail and Govia Thameslink Railway are working collaboratively to deliver accessibility improvements to the station – in addition to the step-free access, GTR will be delivering Accessible toilets on Platform 1. Work will begin at the end of 2023, with the new station improvements available for passengers in mid-2024.
For the Alexandra Palace scheme, £8.1m of funding has been awarded in order to:
• install a lift to each of the four platforms, connected to the existing footbridge;
• remodel and strengthen the existing footbridge;
• replace the existing east-side ramp with one with a more accessible gradient; and
• provide level access in the station entrance area.
We have completed outline design for what we are proposing to build (via Network Rail internal designers) and are seeking an external contractor to complete the detailed design and construction. Subject to receiving a suitable bid for the works, we aim to have a contractor in place by June 2023, with the first task being to carry out surveys to assist with the detailed design. We would expect them to start on site with enabling works (e.g., establishing a site compound) in late 2023, and for construction to begin in 2024 with commissioning in Spring 2025.
There has been a small delay to the previously stated timeline for Alexandra Palace due to a longer tendering process, which has been undertaken in order to secure best value for money when delivering this programme of works.”