A Tube station has been refurbished to provide step-free access – almost five years later than first planned.
Transport for London said it encountered “significant challenges” in converting Knightsbridge station, including the delays caused by the pandemic and the need to find new contractors.
First announced in 2017, the project – which included providing three new lifts and reopening Victorian passageways that had been closed for almost a century – was originally listed for completion by 2020.
The lifts were installed two years ago and were ready for use but the project was further delayed because additional design work was needed in the passenger tunnels.
The total cost of the upgrade was about £33.5m, of which about £14m was funded by developers. Some of the station’s façade was restored.
A new entrance has been created at Hooper’s Court as a result of the partnership between TfL, the Knightsbridge Estate and its developer, Chelsfield.
The changes will increase capacity at the Piccadilly line station, which serves one of London’s wealthiest districts, Hyde Park and shoppers heading to and from Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Sloane Street.
About 13m passengers a year use Knightsbridge station.
It means that Knightsbridge has become the 93rd station on the Tube network – out of 272 - to offer step-free access.
Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan pledged to continue to make progress towards the target of half of all stations being accessible by 2030 – though this is increasingly dependent on developer contributions due to TfL’s tight finances.
The number of step-free stations has increased from a quarter to a third of the network since 2016 under his mayoralty, TfL said.
Sir Sadiq 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.”
The opening follows the creation of a new ticket hall at Paddington last year. TfL also wants to make South Kensington station step-free but the £100m-plus plans are unfunded, and Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster councils are in dispute over contributing to the bill.
Step-free work is underway to revamp Colindale and Leyton stations.
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. Making our transport network as accessible as possible is one of our top priorities.”
Passengers not requiring step-free access should continue to use the main entrance on Brompton Road.
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