Lifts approved for some London stations - but others lose out as DfT scales back plans

"The government has confirmed it is pushing ahead with plans to add lifts to more London railway stations, but has also cancelled several expected station upgrades. There are stations that the Department for Transport ( DfT) says are progressing to detailed design. These include Dalston Kingsland, Esher, Gunnersbury, Kew Bridge, and Raynes Park. Gunnersbury was already progressing to design work, so that's more of a confirmation of what was already known."

"However, where the DfT giveth, it also taketh away - and several stations won't be progressing at this time. Within London, those include Bushey, South Croydon and Upminster. The DfT has also put on hold several previously approved schemes at Cricklewood and Palmers Green, saying the costs and disruption of adding the lifts outweigh the benefits. Elsewhere, Brondesbury's upgrade has been delayed to 2028/29 to align with planned station platform renewal works."

Government confirmed plans to add lifts at multiple London and UK railway stations while cancelling or delaying several other upgrades. The Department for Transport lists stations moving to detailed design, including Dalston Kingsland, Esher, Gunnersbury, Kew Bridge, and Raynes Park, and eight projects moving directly to delivery such as Ash Vale, Colchester and Port Sunlight. Several schemes within London — including Bushey, South Croydon and Upminster — will not progress now, with Cricklewood and Palmers Green put on hold due to cost and disruption concerns. Brondesbury's upgrade is deferred to 2028/29 to align with platform renewal works. The Rail Minister has written to affected MPs and offered meetings to explain decisions.

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