Chiswick Park Tube Station Fiasco Latest

Failure to take account of listing status causes delay

Some light has been shed on the mystery of why a platform has been closed at Chiswick Park station for no apparent reason. The work to upgrade the platform canopies was unable to commence on time because of a failure to take account of the listed status of the station and get the necessary permissions for the work to proceed.

A spokesperson for Metronet who are carrying out the work said, "Shortly before work was due to commence on the westbound platform canopy the scope of the work increased significantly. The additional work brought with it a requirement to re-submit applications and paperwork to both English Heritage and London Underground as the existing building was designed by architect Charles Holden and is an English Heritage Grade II listed building."

Metronet had hoped that the required sign-off and approvals could be obtained in time to make good use of the closure but this has unfortunately not proved to be the case meaning that passengers were inconvenienced for no good reason.

Work has now commenced on breaking out defective areas of concrete and undertaking non-structural repairs to the concrete platform canopy on the westbound platform. Metronet have promised that they will be working additional shifts to ensure they maximise the use of the remaining days of this closure.

The westbound platform will be reopening as planned on Wednesday 15 November and the closure of the eastbound platform will commence prior to the first train on Thursday 16 November.

The closures were originally justified as being necessary to allow essential repair work to be carried on on the canopies. New CCTV and help points were also promised and other improvements include an enhanced PA system, better lighting and aids for the partially sited. Disabled access or lifts to the platform are not being provided meaning that there continues to be no tube station in Chiswick that is wheelchair accessible.

Passengers travelling westbound to Chiswick Park are advised to stay on the train and change at Acton Town for eastbound District line services. After 00.18 on Monday to Saturday night and after 23.47 on Sunday night, Passengers are advised to change at Turnham Green for local buses which run all night. Passengers travelling westbound from Chiswick Park are advised to take an eastbound train to Turnham Green and change for an Ealing Broadway service.

From 15 November until Tuesday 12 December, the eastbound platform will be closed. Passengers travelling eastbound to Chiswick Park are advised to stay on the train and change at Turnham Green for an Ealing Broadway service.

Before 05.23 on Monday to Saturday mornings and 06.41 on Sunday mornings, passengers are advised to change at Turnham Green and use local buses which run all night. Passengers travelling eastbound from Chiswick Park are advised to take a westbound train to Acton Town and change for an eastbound service.

During the closures, valid Underground tickets will be accepted on the alternative routes. It remains unclear whether zone 3 travel cards will be accepted at Turnham Green with some passengers reporting that they are being asked to pay extra. Passengers should allow up to 15 minutes extra to complete their journeys.

November 12, 2006