Transport for London (TfL) has awarded a contract to deliver step-free access and station improvements at four future Elizabeth line stations in west London and Buckinghamshire to J. Murphy & Sons Limited.

Hanwell, Iver, Langley and Taplow will become accessible, opening up journey options between west London, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire and central London. All 41 stations on the Elizabeth line will have step-free access when the new railway is fully open in December 2019. This is in addition to the Mayor’s target for 40 per cent of the London Underground network to be step-free by 2022.

Making public transport more accessible will also help meet some of the aims of the draft Mayor’s Transport Strategy, which seeks to reduce reliance on the car, tackle air pollution and change the face of travel in London so that 80 per cent of journeys are made by public transport, cycling or walking by 2041.

The station improvements will include new lifts and footbridges to Elizabeth line platforms. TfL will also be constructing a brand new station building at Iver, replacing the current structure that dates back to the 1920s.  The new building and ticket hall will include new ticket machines and information screens for an improved customer experience.

Val Shawcross, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “I’m delighted that four more stations are becoming step-free for the first time. The Elizabeth line is going to transform travel across the capital and it’s only right that every station will have step-free access. It’s vital that our transport network is accessible to all and that’s why we’re investing more in making our stations step-free than ever before.”

Paul Maynard, rail and accessibility minister, said: “Transport for London is making excellent progress to ensure all stations are step-free as part of our investment to revolutionise London’s transport network and improve access for millions of passengers. Through the Accessibility Action Plan we are committed to further improving the travel experience for people with disabilities, giving them the right to travel independently and with confidence.”

Howard Smith, Operations Director for the Elizabeth line, said: “As part of work to deliver upgrades across the Elizabeth line route, we will be providing step-free access at Iver, Taplow, Langley and Hanwell stations which have never been accessible for some passengers. The Elizabeth line will transform the lives of local customers for years to come connecting them to new destinations in London and beyond.”

Full improvements by station:

Hanwell