London Overground station's upgrade put on hold leaving disabled people struggling to get to platforms

Plans to provide step-free access at Seven Sisters Station have been put on hold amid a 'funding shortfall'. Seven Sisters Station was due to have lifts installed to its London Overground platforms this year as part of the government's Access for All programme but is now one of many stations to have plans paused.

The Department for Transport (DfT) and Network Rail are behind the programme, launched to make railway stations accessible for disabled passengers, and have faced growing scrutiny amid delivery delays. This week Transport for London (TfL) confirmed the delay at Seven Sisters was due to a lack of funding and an issue procuring 'the certification of a new type of lift' from Network Rail.

A TfL spokesperson said: "We remain supportive of the plans to provide step-free access to the London Overground platforms at Seven Sisters, but this DfT/Network Rail led project is currently paused while a funding shortfall is addressed.

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"These additional costs are due to delays with the certification of a new type lift by Network Rail and general inflationary pressures. This project is being funded and delivered as part of the DfT's Access for All scheme and we hope to get clearer direction on how and when this will be delivered very soon."

The struggle to acquire financing comes despite the government announcing in 2018 it would spend up to £350milllion funding the programme. However, minutes from a Network Rail board meeting in May 2024 show the programme's management has faced criticism. Chaired by Peter Hendy, now Minister of State for Rail at the DfT, he said the programme had 'significantly underperformed' during the most recent investment period. The minutes said this 'lack of traction' had now 'created challenges'.

Other stations facing delays to upgrades include Palmers Green Station in Enfield borough which was initially supposed to see two new lifts and walkways installed by mid-2024, but is now expected to be delivered this year. Network Rail was approached for comment.

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