THE COUNCIL have given new 'uninspiring' designs for Ealing Broadway station the thumbs up.

The complete redesign, unveiled this week by Crossrail, replaces the original designs which were thrown out last year and follow a consultation period which came to an end in January.

Crossrail has been working closely with Ealing Council, local developers and nearby landowners to broaden the scheme and revise the plans for the station.

However the chairman of the Ealing Passenger Transport User' Group, John Beeston, said: "I found the designs very uninspiring. This new station does not reflect the size of this borough's contribution to London's overall GDP, the diversity of the area or the historical significance of Ealing Film Studios. If you take away the sign saying Ealing Station this could be in Croydon or anywhere for that matter. The design says absolutely nothing about the area. The bicycle provision is also inadequate and badly placed."

Crossrail's new Ealing Broadway Station designs unveiled today

The revised designs, by Bennetts Associates Architects, will be open to community consultation before Ealing Council takes its decision on planning in July.

The station itself will have four new lifts, 17 ticket gates, toilets, improved staircases and extended platforms.

Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council said: “The council was determined to secure a high quality station for Ealing Broadway and has worked hard with Crossrail to ensure the designs match Ealing’s aspirations.

“We are confident that the revised station plans will create a building which works better for people and is of a scale and appearance that benefits Ealing as west London’s premier town centre.

“The council is also currently finalising further plans which will transform the entire area around the station, as well as improve safety and transport links, and upgrade the look and feel of the area. These plans will be announced shortly.”

Matthew White, Crossrail Surface Director, said: “Ealing Broadway will be a key stop on the Crossrail route and we understand the need to provide local people with a much better station building than they have at the moment.

“By working with the council, community groups, developers and nearby landowners we have improved our proposals and broadened the scheme. Our plans are for a station that will be brighter, more spacious, easier to get around and more visually prominent.”

The Crossrail route will serve 40 stations and run more than 100 km from Reading and Heathrow in the west, through new twin-bore 21 km (13 miles) tunnels below central London to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east.