Can you share TfL costings for recent step-free access proposals, including South Kensington Station, to see if the perception that these are “gold plated” is holding up progress in implementing such proposals?

At the beginning of the step-free access programme in 2016, Transport for London (TfL) conducted a comprehensive cost review against all its standards and was able to reduce the cost of lift installations on its network.

It is not possible for TfL to give detailed costings for current step-free access proposals as negotiations are ongoing with potential suppliers. Additionally, every station on the Tube network is different. Costs for installing step-free access varies widely across the network and TfL must consider the unique circumstances facing each set of proposals. Over the last three years, TfL has, or is, delivering solutions at several stations with a cost range of £5m to £15m per station. The cost range does not reflect stations requiring more complex remodelling of the ticket hall or delivery of lifts to stations with deep Tube platforms; these cost considerably more.

With regard to South Kensington station and its surroundings, TfL was disappointed that the local authority recently refused planning permission for a comprehensive redevelopment that is necessary to facilitate the delivery of step-free access from street to the Circle and District line platforms and to the pedestrian subway tunnel below. The proposed step-free access solution meets the long-standing customer aspirations and other operational requirements while also conserving the heritage-listed station and its surroundings.