Transport for London (TfL) has announced that five additional Tube stations will undergo step‑free access feasibility studies, strengthening the Mayor’s ongoing commitment to creating a more inclusive transport network for London.
Barkingside, Brent Cross, Preston Road, Queensbury, and Totteridge & Whetstone have been added to the list of stations being assessed for future accessibility upgrades. This expands the current pipeline of work, which already includes 40 stations at various feasibility and design stages.
Delivering step‑free access has become a central pillar of TfL’s long‑term accessibility strategy. With over one‑third of Underground stations now step‑free, the network continues to progress at pace. Colindale became the most recent step‑free station in December 2025, marking the 94th station to achieve full accessibility. Northolt is expected to become step‑free in summer 2026, followed by Leyton in spring 2027.
Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said:
"London is for everyone, and the Mayor and I are committed to making our transport network as accessible as possible, so that more people can enjoy all our great city has to offer. We're pleased to see five more stations proceed to feasibility studies in the next stage of TfL’s step-free access programme, which is vital progress in improving accessibility across the network as we continue building a fairer, better London for everyone."
TfL’s Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, Alex Williams, added:
"Making more Tube stations step-free is a major part of our work to make the transport network more accessible. This work always starts with conducting feasibility studies at stations to assess their suitability, so putting five additional stations under the spotlight is another important step towards making the Tube as accessible as possible."
Local authorities have also welcomed the move.
Cllr Jo Blackman, Redbridge Council, said:
"It is great news that Barkingside station will be included in the feasibility work for step-free access. We are pleased that TfL has listened to our requests to include Barkingside in the programme, along with Snaresbrook station. Step-free access would mean that more of our residents and visitors to the borough would be able to access the Tube network - including those with disabilities as well as those with buggies and younger children. We look forward to seeing the results of the feasibility study which hopefully brings us a step closer to making Barkingside more accessible for all."
Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, commented:
"Every new step-free station is a step towards a fairer Brent. Accessible transport is not a luxury, it is a basic right, and too many residents have been locked out of opportunities because our network has not worked for everyone.
That is why we will keep working with TfL and the Mayor of London to go further and faster on step-free access, so every community in Brent can benefit from a transport network that is truly inclusive."
The five newly selected stations were originally part of a long‑list of 30 candidates identified in 2025. Seventeen of those stations have already been confirmed for feasibility study progression. TfL’s shortlisting model considers customer benefits, deliverability, local development, geographical balance, and regeneration opportunities.
However, the organisation emphasises that future delivery depends heavily on funding and viability, with schemes progressing more rapidly where third‑party investment is available. In recent years, TfL has collaborated with government, developers, businesses and local authorities to secure external funding for accessibility improvements at Colindale, Knightsbridge, Leyton and Paddington.
Image credit: TfL & iStock
