The government has allocated £43.1m from the Levelling Up Fund to make Colindale and Leyton London Underground stations step-free for the first time.

They are two of ten stations that Transport for London (TfL) identified earlier this year for accessibility improvements. At present, only 92 of London’s 272 stations have step-free access.

TfL will put the Colindale construction work out to contract before the end of this year, for building to start in early 2024. The appointed contractor will replace the 1960s-built entrance with a new station building which includes a spacious ticket hall and a lift. Without this work, Colindale would have reached passenger capacity by 2026.

The Northern line between Edgware and Golders Green will need to close for periods of time next year, and the station itself will close temporarily. TfL will announce the dates of these closures in due course.

Colindale is one of the most deprived areas in London, and the Tube station’s redevelopment will help to enable the building of 11,400 quality new homes for local people. Colindale’s population has grown by seventy per cent since 2011, and the ward in which the station is located is growing faster than any London ward other than Stratford Olympic Park ward in Newham.

Leyton station will get a new ticket hall next to the existing one, together with two new staircases and two lifts, which will increase the station’s capacity and accessibility. TfL expects to award the construction contract in summer 2024.

Two thousand new homes are being built close to Leyton Tube station and there are proposals for 5,300 further new homes. The upgraded Tube station will increase capacity, improve accessibility and provide a more comfortable and welcoming environment for passengers.

Since 2016, TfL has reduced additional journey times for those who need accessible routes by forty percent, making good progress towards the Mayor of London’s target of fifty percent by 2030. It will also make Knightsbridge and Paddington (Bakerloo line) stations step-free next year, and in February this year completed the Bank station upgrade, which introduced step-free access to the Northern line and improved step-free access to the Docklands Light Railway at the station.

The Department for Transport (DfT) made a provisional announcement in January 2023 that it would fund the work, subject to TfL submitting a Full Business Case.

Levelling Up funding will be allocated immediately to the redevelopment of Colindale station on the Edgware branch of the Northern line immediately. Leyton station on the Central line will receive its funding once detailed design work is completed in early 2024.

The Greater London Authority (GLA), local borough councils (Barnet for Colindale, Waltham Forest for Leyton) and local developers have also contributed funds.

Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “London’s diversity is one of its biggest strengths. The Mayor wants everyone, whether resident, visitor or worker, to be able to participate in and enjoy all that our great city has to offer and making London’s transport network as accessible as possible is a key part of this.

“The Mayor and I are delighted that the Government has confirmed funding to upgrade Colindale and Leyton stations. These vital updates will include making both stations step-free along with increasing their capacity, helping us to continue building a better, fairer London for all.”

Alex Williams, TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, said: “We’re delighted that working together in partnership with the boroughs and the GLA has achieved a successful outcome in our joint bid to upgrade Colindale and Leyton stations and make them step-free for the first time. We can now continue apace with our plans to upgrade these two stations, making them more accessible and inclusive and ensuring they are fit to serve these rapidly growing communities for many decades to come.”

Barnet Council Leader Cllr Barry Rawlings said: “It’s great that Colindale residents will be getting an upgraded Tube station that can handle increased demand in the area and will provide step-free access.

“The awarding of Levelling Up funding is a welcome New Year present for local residents and visitors. The Colindale Tube station redevelopment scheme is precisely the kind of project Levelling Up should support, to boost house building and spread opportunity for so many living in one of the capital’s most deprived areas. Better transport links means better jobs and better pay.”

Clyde Loakes, Waltham Forest’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Air Quality, said: ““In partnership with TfL, the redevelopment of Leyton Underground Station will improve and future-proof this station as a critical gateway to Leyton. Many of us have been campaigning, alongside local residents, for this important upgrade that includes much needed step-free access for many years. With this investment Leyton Underground Station will become the much needed sustainable, safe and accessible public transport hub that we need in Leyton.

“This confirmation of Levelling Up support – combined with development contributions from local housing growth, secured by the Council – will also help unlock significant further investment in much needed new affordable homes, workspaces and community infrastructure.”

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “It’s vital that public transport is accessible for everyone and today’s announcement is a positive step forward in delivering more inclusive journeys for London Underground customers.

“Thanks to Government funding, this project will benefit people in and around Colindale and Leyton stations for years to come, demonstrating our commitment to investing in infrastructure to deliver easy and enjoyable journeys for passengers.”