London town where residents ‘risk their lives’ to reach the nearest …

East London residents who live near an "unknown" Tube station [1] described as "a contender for the creepiest" in the city have said surrounding busy roads means they have to "risk their lives" just to get to it. The arrival of the Elizabeth Line [2] in Ilford seems to have drawn around "10 per cent" of passengers away from the stop at Redbridge Station. Those that do use it say it is generally only used by locals as 'not many know it is there' and that 'there's a really eerie silence' when waiting on platforms.

The latest annual figures [3] for Tube station usage report that there were 1,259,738 entries and exits in total at the station. Meanwhile, there were reportedly 4,106,402 at the Elizabeth line's Ilford Station - more than triple the amount. Dagenham East, located further from the centre of London than Redbridge, had more entries and exits recorded during the same time period (1,496,282).

Meanwhile on the other side of the city but a similar distance from the middle of the London, Hounslow [4] West had 1,550,628. Tweeting photos of the station looking particularly vacant, Transport for London [6] (TfL) planner Ed Dawes said on Sunday (April 16): "Contender for creepiest active Tube station - what do we reckon? There's a really eerie silence while waiting for trains here."

Speaking to MyLondon [7] outside the stop while on her way home from work, Gema Newbey, 53, a primary school teacher, said: "I've not really noticed it being quieter, but it's normally quiet I think, yeah. I like that, the peacefulness. I like the quiet."

Regarding nearby roads, she added: "It's hard to cross here, there's one crossing here but not on other roads. And with the roundabout and stuff, roads are busy and that would put people off. It feels to me like it's an unknown station, nobody knows this station.

I like it, it's got a lot of character." Jay Patel, 61, an IT project manager, travels at quieter times of the day when he uses the station, but nevertheless he has noticed a difference. He said: "I go off peak so it's quite normal.

I work from home, but it is much quieter than what it used to be." Asha Sandhu, 51, a receptionist, added that he has noticed that the station has been a little bit quieter since the arrival of Ilford's Elizabeth line, which 'just makes life easier'.

Aptula Aptula photographed outside Redbridge Station

Aptula Aptula says strikes have had an impact on those using the station and nearby roads can be tricky to navigate (Image: Adam Toms/MyLondon)

Aptula Aptula, 29, who works as a chef, said it has been tricky to use the station recently because of strike action. He said: "There have been strikes a couple weeks ago, and there's been a lack of staff.

They just closed the station and sometimes people's GPS doesn't update so very soon they don't really know where they are - and they have to check everything. They're basically screwed, but in my experience a lot of people use it still. Overall it's good but sometimes [there are issues] - it's not just Redbridge."

Crime is also sometimes an issue at the station. Mark Harvey, 38, a sealant applicator and builder, said: "I use it every day and get off at Clapham junction [8]. But I've had my van broken into twice, I normally park on the A12 and I've never had a problem.

I've only parked in the station's car park two times in the past two years and the van has been broken into twice.

North circular road roundabout near to Redbridge station

Residents say roads around the station can 'put people off' visiting and take a long time to cross (Image: Adam Toms/MyLondon)

"That's the only issue I've got in the area really. The company had to pay a couple of hundred pounds every time - they've got to take the window bar off and get it replaced. That's not a quick job."

However, despite not being as busy as many other stations, the Central line's Redbridge Tube stop is depended upon by some locals to get around. Alice Omollo, 64, a retired childcare worker, said: "People use it. That's why I'm here, to go and use it.

I travel from Wembley and then change at Bond Street to visit church and friends." Staff at coffee shop Artful Blend, Kayleigh Gilling, 20, and Bahar Adelyar, also 20, say in their experience that the station can sometimes get busy at peak times when they travel to and from work. Their principal issue with the area is the surrounding roads.

Locals say they like Redbridge Station's 'character' (Image: Adam Toms/MyLondon)

Ms Adelyar said: "In the evening time it can sometimes get really busy.

But it is quite a quiet area and people who use it are quite local. The roads are a bit worrying, the way I have to cross to get here I have to basically risk it." Meanwhile Ms Gilling added that 'I have to wait bloody ten hours to get to the lights', while waiting to cross the road at the station.

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References

^ Tube station (www.mylondon.news)
^ Elizabeth Line (www.mylondon.news)
^ latest annual figures (dataportal.orr.gov.uk)
^ Hounslow (www.mylondon.news)
^ These are the 10 least busy London Underground stations (www.mylondon.news)
^ Transport for London (www.mylondon.news)
^ MyLondon (www.mylondon.news)
^ Clapham junction (www.mylondon.news)
^ here. (www.mylondon.news)