Julia Lopez MP has written to the Rail Minister after the Government confirmed it will not proceed with feasibility works for step-free access at platform 6 at Upminster station, describing the decision as deeply disappointing and calling for an urgent meeting to agree a way forward.
Upminster is one of Havering’s busiest transport interchanges, linking the District line with c2c services and the Liberty line. Mrs Lopez has long argued that passenger volumes at the station more than justify investment in accessibility.
While much of the station and the wider Liberty line provide step-free access, Platform 6 remains accessible only via stairs. This means there is still a significant gap in an otherwise accessible hub, particularly for disabled passengers, older residents, parents with buggies and others with reduced mobility.
Mrs Lopez has warned that the lack of step-free access to Platform 6 also creates a barrier for passengers seeking to reach the Elizabeth line, which is otherwise entirely step-free.
In her letter, Mrs Lopez challenges the explanation given by the Department for Transport that the scheme cannot progress due to a lack of third-party funding. She says this position is difficult to reconcile with the Government’s stated commitment to a unified, publicly owned network.
Following the transition of c2c to public ownership in July 2025, Mrs Lopez pointed out that the Department for Transport now holds direct responsibility for the station’s facilities. With services at Upminster under the control of either the Department or TfL, she argues it is unclear why an external third party should be required to fund core accessibility improvements.
Mrs Lopez has asked to meet the Minister to discuss how the scheme can be progressed and has suggested that TfL representatives also attend to consider what support they may be able to provide.
Julia Lopez MP said:
“Upminster is a major interchange for Havering and passenger numbers more than justify investment. Platform 6 is a glaring omission in an otherwise accessible hub, leaving many passengers unable to travel independently and with dignity.
“I am deeply disappointed that the Government has decided not to proceed with investigations into whether we can make platform 6 step free. The explanation that this comes down to third-party funding is hard to understand when c2c is now publicly owned and the Department is responsible for station facilities. I have asked for an urgent meeting with the Minister, with TfL also around the table, to agree how we can finally deliver step-free access at Upminster.”
The decision to drop the project to make platform 6 at Upminster station step free comes in the wider context of TfL’s draft Business Plan for the upcoming year which makes no mention of Havering. As it stands, there are no concrete plans for station improvement from TfL’s perspective, adding to concerns raised previously by Mrs Lopez that outer London is not a priority for this Government or the Mayor.
