MAJOR disruption is coming for commuters while TfL carries out four-month long works on an Overground station.

TfL has announced this week the details of its plan to upgrade Highams Park Overground Station, starting this Halloween (Monday, October 31).

The plans are likely to hit mobility impaired passengers the most while TfL builds a new entrance pavilion, with more ticket barriers on both platforms.

Between Halloween and February 22, 2017, TfL will close the footpath between the northbound platform, towards Chingford, and the housing estate through to Larkshall Road, while they build the pavilion.

This means there will be no step free access from the street to platform two, the only access to the platform being through the subway stairs or the footbridge from platform one.

Arrangements for the mobility impaired are being planned while platform two is closed.

A free taxi service will be provided for all mobility impaired passengers travelling to Chingford from Highams Park during the disruption.

If these passengers are travelling to Highams Park from London and Walthamstow, they will have to go to Chingford, board the next southbound train to Highams Park and then use the step free access on platform one.

TfL has told the Highams Park planning group (HPPG) the removal of step free access to platform two is “essential to minimise noise disruption” to people living nearby.

The waiting room will also be closed during the works as a new waiting room is being constructed.

More speakers will be fitted along the platforms to help the hearing of announcements and the CCTV at the station will also be upgraded.

In the new pavilion, the main entrance will be doubled in width, with five ticket gates, allowing access straight through to the platform.

As a consequence, the waiting room will be a little smaller.

On platform two, a new building will be built on the path to Larkshall Road, with a line of five ticket gates and passenger-operated ticket machines.

When this work is finished, the steps to the subway on platform two will be permanently closed, except as an emergency route. 

  • What do you think of these plans? Are you mobility impaired and live in Highams Park? Get in touch with our reporter, Joe Roberts, on joe.roberts.london.newsquest.co.uk or 07824 530127 to share your views.