Funding Given for Step Free Access at Syon Lane Station

Other stops including Kew Bridge lose out because plans not advanced enough

Hounslow Council has decided to give half a million pounds towards a project to provide step free access at Syon Lane railway station.

The money is to come from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) a charge paid by developers as a condition of obtaining planning permission.

Syon Lane station

The total cost of the project is £2million and half of that is to be paid by Sky as part of a section 106 contribution with another £500,000 approved in principle from First Group who own the new incoming train operating company.

A higher inflow of people to the station is anticipated due to developments in the area. Without such works statutory transport providers such as Network Rail/Train Operating Company may object to planning applications and block delivery.

A detailed design for the project has already been completed although no date has been given for the commencement of the work. Approval of the scheme also supports the Mayor’s ambition to increase the proportion of public transport trips being made by Londoners so that 80% of all trips are made by sustainable modes by 2041.

Applications for funding for step free access projects at other local stations including Kew Bridge, Chiswick and Central Hounslow were declined even though the funds needed where not as large. In all three cases it was determined that CIL funding is better allocated to projects
that are beyond the feasibility study stage in order to ensure that available funds are applied to projects that are closer to delivery.

April 6, 2018