Consider the gap: Mayor apologizes for hurting Elizabeth Line passengers

The Mayor of London has apologized to Elizabeth line passengers who were seriously injured using trains at a west London station and says work is being done to ensure the large gap is fixed.

Sadiq Khan said he was “shocked” to see reports from BBC London about those injured, adding: “I am very sorry.

Earlier this week, Transport for London and Network Rail said they were “sorry” that some passengers had suffered injuries and that safety was their “priority”.

They said they are looking at what can be done to close the gap.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh also said she would take up the issue with Network Rail.

It comes after Lucy Daramola told BBC London she was knocked unconscious and hospitalized after cutting her shin boarding a train in July 2022.

Speaking to BBC London, Mr Khan said: “The problem is that this is an older station rather than one of our newer stations, and you know the height difference between the train and the platform.”

Mr Khan went on to say that he had been in “close contact with the commissioner and had discussions with him” and that TfL was “working very closely with the train operator MTR but also with Network Rail to resolve this issue”.

He said part of the solution should include solving the “older platform height problem.”

“In the meantime, I’m very sorry for the three passengers who were injured – terrible injuries, it shouldn’t have happened – but the good news is that Network Rail is now dealing with it.

Mr Khan made the comments at his first public meeting with new transport secretary Louise Haigh, during which they took a ride on one of the capital’s new Superloop buses.

A Network Rail spokesman said earlier this week: “Safety is our number one priority and we have previously met with the station’s user group to listen to their concerns.

“We are not currently funded to make improvements to the platforms, however we are working closely with our line partners TfL and MTR-Elizabeth to review what could be done as part of our joint safety improvement plan.”

A TfL spokesman said: “Safety is a priority for us and although the height difference between the train and the platform at this station meets the required safety standards, we are working with our operator, the MTR-Elizabeth line and Network Rail to see if it is possible to raise the platform at Ealing Broadway.

“We have also developed a number of improvements to the station to increase customer safety. This includes installing a new barrier to improve passenger flow management and extending a handrail.”