Knightsbridge station has become the 93rd station on the Tube network to offer step-free access, Transport for London (TfL) has announced. A new entrance on Hooper’s Court features three 17-person lifts, which provide street-to-platform access to the Piccadilly line for the first time at the station.
The new entrance has been facilitated by TfL working with the Knightsbridge Estate and its developer, Chelsfield. The Estate has redeveloped the building above the station, opening parts of the station that have been out of use since the 1930s due to escalators being installed. TfL has restored architectural features of its façade while modernising other areas. As part of this work, the new entrance was constructed, and step-free access installed.
This represents another step towards the Mayor’s ambitious goal of making 50 per cent of Tube stations step-free, making the network more accessible to all Londoners. More than a third of Underground stations across the city provide step-free access, and the installation of lifts at Knightsbridge will provide a crucial service for those with access requirements, parents with buggies or those with luggage or shopping.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am determined to do everything I can to make our transport network as fair and accessible as possible so that every Londoner can make the most of our city. Knightsbridge Tube station is one of the busiest stations in the capital, seeing more than 13 million journeys each year, attracting visitors to some of our most famous tourist destinations. This important upgrade will bring us closer to my target of making 50 per cent of Tube stations step-free by 2030 as we build a better and safer London for all.”
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s Chief Capital Officer, said: “The installation of lifts at Knightsbridge means that another important zone 1 station is now step-free, something that will benefit millions of our customers every year. Making our transport network as accessible as possible is one of our top priorities and we are continuing work to make even more of the network step-free as quickly as we can in order to reach the Mayor’s ambitious target of making 50 per cent of the Tube step-free.”
TfL worked closely with Chelsfield throughout the project, securing a commercial deal that enabled the step-free access works to be delivered at a significantly reduced cost to TfL. Opportunities like this are being pursued across London as TfL seeks ways to make as much of the Tube network as accessible as possible while operating in a financially responsible way.
The main entrance to the station is on Brompton Road, and customers who do not require step-free access are encouraged to continue using this entrance to ensure that the lifts are available for those who need them.
The new entrance will also increase capacity at the station, a key element of the project considering the importance of Knightsbridge to the businesses and tourist attractions nearby. The station is near famous department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols, as well as the southern part of Hyde Park and several of London’s top hotels.
Image credits: TfL
