Close the gap at Ealing Broadway

The gap between the platform and Elizabeth line trains at Ealing Broadway station is inaccessible and poses a real safety risk. Since the Elizabeth Line was introduced in 2022, Bassam Mahfouz AM has been campaigning for action to make the station safer and more accessible for everyone who uses it.

Why we’re campaigning

Residents and accessibility campaigners have raised concerns about the difficulty of boarding and leaving Elizabeth Line trains at Ealing Broadway, particularly for disabled passengers and people with mobility needs. Some people have already been injured while getting on and off trains. 

The problem is the gap between the platform and the train, which is around 30cm. That is wider than safety guidance, which recommends a maximum horizontal gap of 27.5cm and a maximum vertical gap of 23cm. 

Because Ealing Broadway was already in use before the Elizabeth line opened, it is not required to meet the standards that apply to new stations. But that does not change the experience for passengers using the station today, or the risks they face when boarding and leaving trains. 

Some measures have been introduced, including additional warnings and frosted windows intended to discourage passengers from rushing for trains. But these do not solve the fundamental problem: passengers still have to navigate a significant gap when boarding and leaving the train. 

What we’re calling for 

Network Rail and TfL must take action before someone is seriously injured. 

• Assess solutions such as raising the platform or lowering the track, which have been implemented at other stations in London
• Publish a clear programme of work, including timescales, impacts and next steps 
• Secure and allocate funding to deliver a permanent solution 

What we’ve done 

Bassam Mahfouz AM has been campaigning to close the gap at Ealing Broadway since the Elizabeth line was introduced in 2022. 

He has worked to highlight the safety and accessibility concerns raised by local residents and campaigners, and is calling on Network Rail, as the infrastructure manager, to take action before an accident occurs. 

The campaign continues to press for a permanent solution rather than relying on temporary mitigation measures. 

Take action

Have you been affected by the gap at Ealing Broadway station? 

Whether you have experienced accessibility difficulties, safety concerns or disruption to your journey, we want to hear from you. Your experiences will help demonstrate the real-world impact of the problem and strengthen the case for action.