Member Article

Revealed: Crossrail unveils designs for West Ealing station

Designs for a new station building at West Ealing have been submitted to Ealing Council as part of a major overhaul of the station for Crossrail.

The proposals, designed by Bennetts Associates, are for a bright, modern, spacious new ticket hall. The glass and steel structure will let in natural light and will be surrounded by a large canopy. The new building will be located on Manor Road to the northwest of the existing station building.

• A range of other major improvements will be made to the station, including:
• A new footbridge with new lifts to provide step-free access to every platform
• The creation of a new bay platform for trains on the Greenford branch line
• Platform extensions so the station can accommodate the new 200m long Crossrail trains
• New lighting, customer information screens, station signage, help points and CCTV.

The improvement works will be carried out by Network Rail. From the end of 2017 the station will be run by Transport for London as part of London’s integrated transport network.

Crossrail has also been working with Ealing Council and Network Rail to help develop plans for improvements to the area around the new station that will provide better connection to other forms of transport, provide cycle parking and improve the surrounding pavements and roads.

Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director said: “Crossrail will provide a step change in public transport for people in West Ealing – new trains, quicker journeys and a brand new station fit for the 21st century. Our proposals are for a bright, spacious, elegant new ticket hall that, along with the other improvements, will transform people’s experience of using the station.”

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “Crossrail will bring with it huge economic benefits to our borough and accelerate the regeneration taking place. Only two London boroughs will have five Crossrail stations and Ealing is one of the them.

“It is very exciting to see plans come forward for yet another station, this time at West Ealing. The council has been working behind the scenes to ensure that we secure well-designed, modern, accessible stations that make travelling to and from our borough as easy, safe and comfortable as possible.”

David Laing, Studio Director at Bennetts Associates said: “The building will provide a new, fully accessible station on Manor Road incorporating clear, step-free access routes to all platforms.

“Its double height glazed concourse and canopied frontage will ensure the station is clearly legible within the surrounding townscape, while its modern ticket hall and distinctive entrance will make it recognisable as one of the family of new Crossrail stations designed by Bennetts Associates through west London.”

When Crossrail fully opens in 2019, four services an hour in each direction will serve West Ealing station, allowing passengers to travel right through central London without having to change trains. Passengers will be able to get to Bond Street in 13 minutes and Liverpool Street in 21 minutes, while the journey to Canary Wharf will take 27 minutes.

By improving transport links, Crossrail is already unlocking development opportunities in west London, encouraging investment and supporting local jobs and businesses. Almost half of planning applications (44%) within a kilometre of the five stations in the London Borough of Ealing cited the new railway as a justification for the development proceeding.