TRANSPORT FOR LONDON (TFL) could be spending £4.4million on helping disabled people and parents with pushchairs get on the Tube.

Campaigners who have been fighting for step-free access at Newbury Park Tube Station for years finally saw plans get the go-ahead from London Mayor Sadiq Khan in December.

But although Redbridge Council says Newbury Park “remains its first priority”, it has today revealed (February 13) South Woodford Station has also been earmarked for disabled access.

The proposals were outlined in an email from a senior Redbridge transport officer.

He said: “While Newbury Park has been the council’s first priority Tube station to press TfL to install step-free facilities from their limited funding pot for such features.

“TfL’s attention was also drawn to being able to achieve disabled access at South Woodford by dispensing with the small flight of steps on the westbound side.”

They ruled out installing a lift, but said they would prefer to get rid of part of the footway and extend the station building to allow for a ramp to improve disabled access.

The project would cost TfL a hefty £4.4 million, but could be approved by the end of this year with a start date for the nine-month construction project set for April 2018.

Liberal Democrat Cllr for Roding Gwyneth Deakins welcomed the news.

She said: “The cost is amazing, but if TfL is prepared to pay for it, I’m not complaining.

“I always see people with buggies, luggage, or mobility problems struggling up the seven steps to the Tube station.

“I’ll be keeping a close eye on this.”

Transport for London has been contacted for comment.