Lib Dems demand better step-free access at Kilburn Station

Local Liberal Democrats are calling on Transport for London and the Mayor Boris Johnson to improve access at Kilburn station and to speed-up the work to replace the lift at the station.

Liberal Democrat MP for Brent Central Sarah Teather, Parliamentary Candidate Ibrahim Taguri and Mapesbury Ward council candidates Helen Carr, Paul Edgeworth and Lauren Keith are concerned that work to replace the lift at the station is taking too long.

There is currently no step free access to the platform at Kilburn whilst the repair works are being carried out, with the new lift not set to re-open until late June 2014. In addition, ramps installed for the 2012 Olympic Games have since been removed.

Sarah, who this week wrote to Mayor of London Boris Johnson to demand better step-free access at the station, said:

"It's really concerning that there will be no step-free access at Kilburn station until June. Many residents in Brent - such as those with a disability, parents with buggies and the elderly - rely on the lift at Kilburn to be able to use the underground and overground networks.

"I understand the need to replace facilities at stations. But there's no step-free access at all Brondesbury, West Hampstead and Willesden Green, so replacing Kilburn's only lift will have a considerable impact on local residents.

"That's why I have today written to Transport for London and the Mayor - it's really important that they don't ignore the needs of Brent residents."

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Brent Central, Ibrahim Taguri, said:

"Other local stations at Willesden Green, Brondesbury and West Hampstead don't have step free access and aren't part of TfL's plans to install lifts or ramps at more stations over the next few years. The current upgrade of Cricklewood railway station isn't going to see ramps to every platform either.

"That's why it's so important that step-free access at Kilburn is the best it possibly can be, and why we want the ramps on the platforms brought back to help everyone to be able to get on and off trains as easily as possible."

Local resident Lauren Keith lives in Kilburn and uses the station every day. Lauren said:

"It's crazy that a vital service like a lift is taking months to complete. There are many people that need step free access to the platform including parents with prams and buggies, disabled people and the elderly. It is even stranger that platform ramps installed for the Olympics were removed