Official Says Ealing Could Be "Excluded" from Crossrail

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But rail representatives meet to discuss station improvements

In today's Ealing Leader there is a small item on Page 9 under the heading: "Ealing stations could be left out of Crossrail plans." Pat Hayes, Regeneration Director for Ealing Council is quoted in the piece. However, Network Rail seems to think differently as we discovered recently at a meeting.

The article in the Gazette reads: "Crossrail stations at West Ealing, Hanwell and Acton are not set in stone and could still be left out of the finished scheme.

"Regeneration director Pat Hayes said there is a possibility that Crossrail could pull out of putting in new stations in Ealing because they would all be overground, unlike stations along the tunnelled parts of the track that will be built as part of the infrastructure.

"He said: "With the surface sections they still run the train down the tracks, but they don't have to stop. The development is going to be by Network Rail and we have to make sure that there is actual investment in those stations.""

But we are left wondering where Mr Hayes obtained his information.

At Network Rail's offices a few weeks ago, a representative from Crossrail discussed plans to improve and extend stations along the Crossrail route, including plans to extend and improve facilities (including provision of a lift for disabled passengers) at Acton Main Line. Improvements are not planned to start before 2010 with a finish date of 2017.

The meeting, which also involved Transport for London (Tfl) and Network Rail as well as First Great Western (FGW), had been organised ty Angie Bray, Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Ealing Central and Acton.

Other matters brought up were an investigation into the possibility of a cycle ramp alongside stairs down to the platforms at Ealing Broadway station, also into the installation of secure cycle racks on a platform at the station.

TFL, FGW and Network Rail will look into ways of providing a single point for all train information the in Ticket Hall at Ealing Broadway to make it much more instantly accessible for passengers. Angie also asked TfL to hold talks with Network Rail specifically about the possibility of opening the old District Line entrance to Ealing Broadway station - and possible funding from Network Rail's safety funds.

At the next meeting in October there will be a further update on FGW's improving reliability for services stopping at Acton Mainline station. Those using the station should continue to use ActonW3.com Forum to post problems, delays, cancellations etc. The current service needs to be running more reliably before FGW can put in a bid for four trains per hour there.

April 6, 2008