Proposals to boost the capacity of Holborn Tube station have been supported by 98% of respondents to a consultation by Transport for London (TfL). The same consultation found 96% or respondents also backed TfL’s specific plans. Holborn is one of the busiest Underground stations on the network, with around 56 million customers using it each year. Users of the station currently have to pass through a single point at the bottom of the main escalators, which causes overcrowding and makes it necessary to hold people outside the ticket gates.
The capacity upgrade aims to reduce congestion and relieve pressure on the existing Kingsway entrance, as well as support future plans to increase the number of trains on the Central and Piccadilly lines. Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore hailed the consultation findings as important progress.
Mr Dismore said:
‘TfL get it very wrong on occasions, but here they have done very well to get almost unanimous support from the local community and users of the station. The current station is not really fit for purpose and desperate needs the upgrade to improve flow. A new entrance on Procter Street will also reduce the need to cross High Holborn, which can be very busy. I am especially pleased with the provision of Step-Free Access, which is something I’ve long campaigned for.’
Notes to editors
- Andrew Dismore is the Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden