Bushey Station Left Behind as Government Overlooks Step-Free Access Funding

Despite years of local campaigning and a completed feasibility study, the Government has overlooked vital accessibility funding for improvements at Bushey Station.

The Department for Transport has recently announced the latest round of Access for All funding to improve accessibility at stations across the UK, but Bushey Station was not shortlisted.

Currently, none of the platforms at Bushey Station have step-free access, with multiple sets of stairs between the concourse and individual platforms. There is also a significant gap between the train and the platform on services operated by National Rail. This creates major barriers for disabled passengers, people with additional access needs and their carers, as well as parents travelling with pushchairs.

Bushey Station is heavily used by local residents and visitors travelling into London and to destinations along the London Northwestern Railway line. The station sees over a million passenger journeys each year, with 1.225 million recorded in 2024–25.

Oxhey ward councillors and Lib Dem Mayor Peter Taylor have been campaigning for step-free access and platform improvements at Bushey Station since 2021. In 2022, a public petition was launched calling for the station to be made fully accessible, and local representatives submitted an outline business case to Network Rail, supported by both Watford Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council.

Lib Dem Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor, said: “It is bitterly disappointing that Bushey Station has missed out on this vital funding. Everyone deserves fair and equal access to public transport, especially residents with mobility issues.” 

“By failing to back this project, the Government is leaving disabled people, families, and carers behind. Making public transport accessible and affordable for everyone should be a top priority for the Government. 

“I have written to the Government Minister to make the case for this important investment.”