Council approves Tube station repair application

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter 

A 120-year-old tube station is to undergo a range of repairs plus a fresh paint job to make it ‘a more authentic colour scheme’ for a District line stop.

Hammersmith and Fulham council has approved Transport for London’s (TfL) plans to refurbish the Grade-II listed Barons Court station, with the works scheduled towards the end of 2025.

In its application, TfL listed four updates to the station including replacing its canopy’s timber elements, strengthening its columns, repainting the station in the District line colours, and general refurbishments.

The suggestions came in response to deteriorating conditions at the station like the rotting canopy, cracked glazing on staircases, rust and water damage to its columns.

TfL’s application also notes the station is currently not sporting the ‘appropriate’ District Line colour scheme. Barons Court, which was built in 1904 for the Metropolitan District Railway, today serves both the District and Piccadilly lines.

In its submission, TfL wrote: “The current colour scheme is not thought to be original and changing this would have no effect on the significance of the building. Rather it would enhance the station and be a more authentic and appropriate colour scheme for a District line station.”

A TfL spokesperson that the repairs are still subject to funding approval, and that the exact timeline and potential for closures remain to be seen.

Pictured top: Barons Court Station is known for features such as its Baroque-style frontage and wooden platform benches (Picture: Google Street View)