Major improvements to West Drayton station as part of the Crossrail programme have been given the go ahead by Hillingdon Council.
A new glass and steel extension will provide an additional entrance as well as a covered walkway between the existing building and a new footbridge. Three new lifts will provide step-free access to every platform.
The designs ensure that the existing Victorian station building remains the focal point of the station. The glazed station extension has been designed by Bennetts Associates.
Additional upgrades include a new entrance canopy stretching across the existing building and the extension, platform extensions, new lighting, improved customer information screens, station signage, help points and CCTV.
The span for the new footbridge is planned to be installed over Easter. The work on the station is expected to last around 18 months.
Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director said: “The upgrades at West Drayton will provide local people with a vastly improved station. While the existing Victorian building will remain the focal point, the new additions will ensure that the station is ready for the arrival of Crossrail services in 2019.”
Cllr Douglas Mills, Cabinet Member for Community, Commerce and Regeneration at Hillingdon Council, said: “I am pleased that this phase of the project has been approved by the council’s planning committee, and that West Drayton will soon have a 21st Century station with improvements and facilities that I’m sure local residents will appreciate.
“After the years of planning and deliberation it is exciting to hear that work to upgrade the station will shortly commence, and that this brings us one step closer to the start of the Crossrail service in the borough. The council welcomes this investment and we look forward to working with Crossrail to ensure local residents and businesses benefit.”
David Laing, Studio Director of Bennetts Associates said: “The new extension building is illustrative of a family of glazed station pavilions conceived for Crossrail on sites running westwards from Ealing Broadway, providing contemporary, spacious and fully accessible facilities linking street to platform.”
From December 2017, the station will be run by Transport for London as part of London’s integrated transport network. In addition to the station improvements, Crossrail has been working with Hillingdon Council on proposals for improvements to the area around the station.
