Key Points
- Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez has formally submitted a community request to Transport for London (TfL) for step-free access at Hornchurch Underground Station.
- TfL is considering Hornchurch among 30 stations for potential accessibility upgrades, with only 15 stations to proceed to full feasibility studies.
- A community survey led by Julia Lopez shows overwhelming local support for the accessibility upgrade.
- Local Conservative politicians, including London Assembly Member Keith Prince and Conservative Association Chairman Adam Baker, are campaigning actively to secure funding and support.
- Havering Council has been urged to back the campaign to improve chances of success.
- The station currently does not have step-free access, limiting travel options for elderly, disabled, and parents with young children.
- TfL’s prioritisation includes consideration of third-party funding, which local campaigners emphasize as critical.
- Step-free access upgrades align with broader transport accessibility improvements in Outer London.
- Julia Lopez has a history of campaigning successfully for accessibility upgrades locally, including work at Upminster Station.
- TfL’s new business plan allocates approximately £20 million per annum for accessibility enhancements, including Hornchurch.
- The Mayor of London and Havering Council are involved in ongoing discussions regarding funding and project prioritisation.
What is the current status of step-free access at Hornchurch Station?
As reported by Julia Lopez, Hornchurch and Upminster MP,
“Hornchurch Station is one of thirty stations across the network currently under consideration for future accessibility upgrades by Transport for London (TfL).”
However, TfL plans to narrow the list to fifteen stations that will proceed to full feasibility studies later in 2025, with Hornchurch strongly campaigning to be included among those finalists.
Currently, Hornchurch Station lacks step-free access, presenting challenges particularly for elderly residents, parents with young children, and those with mobility impairments. The local MP highlighted the practical impact by stating,
“With over 4,000 people using Hornchurch Station every day, it is vital that the needs of all users are taken into account”.
How have local politicians and the community supported step-free access for Hornchurch Station?
Local Conservatives, led by Julia Lopez, London Assembly Member Keith Prince, and Hornchurch & Upminster Conservative Association Chairman Adam Baker, have launched a robust campaign to secure the upgrade. They emphasize the importance of local authority and community backing for TfL’s prioritisation process, which considers strong local support and potential third-party funding.
Julia Lopez has actively engaged residents through a community survey which gathered testimonies detailing the difficulties faced due to the lack of lift access. She expressed gratitude to participants, stating,
“The stories residents shared were powerful and showed clearly why this station needs to be made accessible”.
Keith Prince AM underscored the problem of Outer London transport underinvestment:
“Too often outer London – and particularly Havering – gets the thin edge of the wedge on transport improvements. Step-free access opens up the Tube to many residents who otherwise struggle to use it. It is past time that Hornchurch station is made step-free”.
Adam Barker noted,
“Over 4,000 people use Hornchurch Station each day, that is why local Conservatives are committed to improving our local transport services and securing step-free access will have a positive impact for local people”.
What role does Havering Council play in the accessibility campaign?
The campaign has also formally invited Havering Council’s support. Julia Lopez wrote to the Leader of Havering Council urging backing for the step-free access project, signalling that local authority endorsement can significantly influence TfL’s decision-making.
Recently, Havering Council confirmed progressing with feasibility work for step-free access at Hornchurch Station, underscoring the borough’s financial support for related local transport initiatives including the Havering Cycle Network.
What are Transport for London and the Mayor of London’s positions on Hornchurch accessibility?
From the Greater London Authority records, TfL continues to prioritise accessibility across the network despite financial challenges. Since January 2020, twelve London Underground stations have become step-free, with new accessible stations opening recently as part of the Northern Line Extension and Overground expansions.
TfL’s business plan includes an annual £20 million fund dedicated to accessibility enhancements. Hornchurch is part of a prioritisation exercise assessing benefits and complexities to guide future work. TfL notes that projects with third-party financial support stand a higher chance of success, encouraging local bodies and stakeholders to seek such partnerships.
However, the Mayor of London has so far not made Hornchurch Station a priority for the Access for All programme, which has contributed to delays in funding compared to other stations in Havering like Upminster, where step-free access work is advancing via Department for Transport funding.
How does the Hornchurch campaign compare with similar accessibility efforts locally?
Julia Lopez has a proven track record of campaigning for station accessibility, notably at Upminster Station. In June 2024, it was announced that Upminster will progress feasibility studies funded through redirected HS2 money after persistent lobbying by Mrs Lopez and local activists.
While Upminster Station improvements have seen Department for Transport support without the involvement of the Mayor of London, Hornchurch’s upgrades rely heavily on TfL and Mayor backing, highlighting infrastructure funding disparities within the borough and Outer London transport network.
Why is step-free access a critical issue for Hornchurch residents?
The absence of step-free access at Hornchurch Station limits travel for many users. Elderly residents, parents with buggies, disabled individuals, and those carrying heavy luggage face significant obstacles, effectively excluding them from full public transport use.
The community survey conducted by Julia Lopez demonstrated widespread recognition of this issue. Many residents shared personal experiences of restricted mobility linked to the station’s structure, with Mrs Lopez stating,
“The strength of local feeling is clear, and every effort will be made to secure investment for this vital upgrade”.
What are the next steps and challenges for making Hornchurch Station step-free?
TfL’s phased approach means Hornchurch must be shortlisted among the 15 stations selected for detailed feasibility study late in 2025. Local campaigners are pushing to mobilise public support and secure third-party funding to improve their chances.
Feasibility studies will explore cost, engineering practicalities, and the potential reuse of existing disused lift shafts, which Julia Lopez noted could reduce costs and complexity.
The campaign highlights the need for continued engagement by Havering Council, local politicians, and the community to maintain momentum. Additionally, it points to the wider transport funding challenges facing Outer London stations amid competing priorities.
What is the broader context of transport accessibility in Outer London?
TfL and the Greater London Authority have increased their focus on accessibility, investing in new step-free stations and upgrades on major lines. Since 2020, several new step-free stations have launched and ongoing programmes aim to maximise accessibility expansion.
However, Outer London boroughs including Havering often experience slower progress compared to central London. Campaigners like Keith Prince AM emphasize the inequity in transport funding allocation, stressing the importance of step-free access to inclusivity and mobility for residents.
Havering’s push for step-free access at Hornchurch Station exemplifies the determined local efforts needed to secure inclusive transport in Outer London. With MP Julia Lopez, local Conservatives, Havering Council, and TfL actively engaged, the project appears one step closer to becoming a reality. The coming months will be critical as feasibility studies are prioritised and funding decisions made.
