Over recent months, a significant number of residents in the Woodford area have raised their concerns with me about the safety and general condition of Woodford Station, particularly the underpass that connects the two platforms.
Woodford Station should be a safe and reliable transport network for our community. However, the underpass has become dark, unmonitored, and increasingly unsafe, especially in the evenings. The lack of sufficient lighting and CCTV has allowed the space to become a hotspot for anti-social behaviour, that is a rising occurrence in the area.
Residents frequently report loud and aggressive individuals, suspected drug dealing, loitering, and intimidation. I have also been contacted by residents worried about vulnerable individuals who appear to be sleeping rough in the underpass. These individuals require support from the Council but their presence in an unmonitored space, combined with other activity, has understandably made many commuters feel unsafe.
As we move into the winter months, the issue becomes more severe. Darker mornings and evenings only add to the concern for those using the station, particularly school children, elderly residents, and anyone travelling alone. I’ve spoken with parents who are particularly worried about their children having to pass through the underpass every day. No child should have to feel unsafe on the way to and from school.
Unfortunately, residents are additionally concerned with the poor condition of the station and the Central Line carriages. Across Woodford, there has been a wider rise in anti-social behaviour, which is reflected in the station. Graffiti, broken infrastructure, and a lack of cleanliness have become increasingly common.
To address these issues, I have written to Andrew Lord, the Commissioner of Transport for London (TfL) to take urgent action to address the growing safety concerns at Woodford Station and its poor condition. I am asking for improved lighting throughout the underpass to increase visibility and deter criminal behaviour, CCTV cameras to be installed in and around the station, allowing for better monitoring, increased staffing, with a more regular and visible presence, including patrols through the underpass and around the platforms and a wider clean-up effort, including graffiti removal and general station maintenance.
Everyone deserves to feel safe in their local area, whether they’re commuting to work or to school. The current situation at Woodford Station is not acceptable, and I will continue to raise these issues with TfL until these measures have been implemented.
