COMMUTERS are a step closer to seeing innovative step-free technology at Greenford Tube station after its new escalator was unveiled.

On Tuesday, Greenford Tube station was host to the oldest and newest escalators on the London Underground network.

The new escalator will be accompanied by London Underground’s first step-free incline lift next year.

LU director of capital programmes David Waboso said: “The innovative glass incline lift will go up and down right by the newly-widened staircase and the other new escalator, with users able to see out, as well as being seen.”

The technology behind the incline lift is widely used across European railways, including the Paris Metro, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, Barcelona, Brussels, Naples, Prague and Helsinki.

Ealing cabinet member for transport and environment, Cllr Bassam Mahfouz, said: “The installation of the new incline lift, once complete, will finally end decades of frustration for passengers in wheelchairs and those with buggies by giving them step-free access to Tube and rail travel.”

The new escalator is part of London Underground plans to make Greenford a step-free station by 2015.

New CCTV will be installed in the lift and all public address systems on the station will also be upgraded.

By 2016, additional lighting and signage will be installed at the station, along with repairs from damage caused by water and pigeons.