![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Old-Oak-Platforms.jpg\")
<\/a>Old Oak Common surface platforms concept image (c) HS2<\/p>\nConventionally, national rail platforms are set to a standard height above the rails of 915mm, to allow for a wide range of trains to be able to use them \u2013 from passenger to freight to engineering. That was a legacy of how the railways evolved over the centuries, with different companies building to different standards \u2013 so 915mm was chosen as a middle compromise. However, it usually means a vertical gap for passengers at many stations.<\/p>\n
In 2018, when the Elizabeth line was under construction, it received a special exemption<\/a> from the rules for its new central London stations to ensure step-free access at the platform doors. This restricted the railway\u2019s flexibility to serve other trains, but since that was never expected anyway, it was deemed a sensible decision.<\/p>\n However, we come to Old Oak Common station.<\/p>\n Here, the national rail platforms are \u2013 or were \u2013 being built to the UK national standard, but that would mean Elizabeth line trains would need a manual ramp to offer step-free access to passengers. While that\u2019s routine at many stations, the sheer volume of passengers expected to change to and from the Elizabeth line at Old Oak Common<\/a> would require many ramps and staff, and trains would need more time at the platform, slowing down the service.<\/p>\n Transport for London (TfL) raised this issue a few years ago when it became apparent that Old Oak Common would be the HS2 terminus<\/a> and therefore much busier than originally planned. TfL says Elizabeth line passengers are expected to make up around 90 per cent of interchanges at Old Oak Common, so enabling step-free access was a significant passenger issue that needed resolving. Talks have been underway since then to find a solution, and at a site visit<\/a> in August, an HS2 spokesperson confirmed to ianVisits they had found one but were awaiting final sign-off.<\/p>\n That solution is not to raise the platform, but to lower the railway.<\/p>\n Raising the platforms would have meant redesigning all the other station infrastructure, such as lifts, stairs and escalators. But by lowering the railway track, they can build all the platforms and associated equipment to the same specification.<\/p>\n The track at Platforms 5 to 8 will be lowered, and the station will use a solid concrete slab track through the station rather than ballast.<\/p>\n These changes mean the station can offer fully step-free access for Elizabeth line trains at those platforms.<\/p>\n<\/a>A typical station gap \u2013 at Ingatestone station (c) ianVisits<\/p>\n<\/a>Typical platform ramp (c) ianVisits<\/p>\n