A shiny new entrance and ticket hall has just been unveiled at one of London’s busiest tube stations. As part of the Paddington Square development, Paddington Underground station has been spruced up, and now offers passengers direct, step-free access to the Bakerloo Line platforms for the very first time.
Situated beneath the landmark 18-storey Paddington Cube building; the new ticket hall has been built on the site of a former Royal Mail sorting office, extending 26 metres below street level. The new entrance is directly accessible via the Paddington Square complex, offering step-free access from the new plaza on Praed Street to the Bakerloo Line platforms.
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The new ticket hall is three times the size of the previous Bakerloo Line ticket hall and offers 11 ticket gates, compared the the previous five. The increase in space and barriers as well as the upgraded signage in the station is set to vastly improve the customer experience, making journeys quicker, easier and smoother. What more could we ask for?
This renovation is also going to be a whole lot more convenient for passengers with accessibility requirements, as two brand new lifts now connect the ticket hall and the Bakerloo Line platforms directly. The previous step-free access included taking a detour via the Elizabeth Line entrance and using a connecting tunnel from there.
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Great Western Developments LTD have built the new entrance and ticket hall as part of the Paddington Square development. The wider redevelopment plans also include building West London’s highest rooftop bar and restaurant, offering panoramic views across the city. The work is set to be completed in the first part of 2025 – so that’s certainly something to look forward to, hey?
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khansaid: “Bringing more step-free access to London’s transport network is a key priority, especially at busy hubs. Paddington station is one of London’s busiest stations and a historic and vital part of London’s transport infrastructure. I want everyone to be able to use it, so I’m delighted that the new ticket hall will give the Bakerloo line direct step-free access for the first time. I’m also excited to see the Paddington Square regeneration plans develop, giving a boost to the local area and helping to build a fairer, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.”
Find out more about the Paddington Square redevelopment plans here.