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The £500 million rebuilding of Tottenham Court Road station was completed today with the opening of step-free access to both the Central and Northern lines.

It becomes the 71st Tube station to provide step-free access, making the network easier for older and disabled passengers.

The complex station is used by more than 100,000 passengers a day making it one of the busiest on the network and has been described as the “Gateway to the West End.”

It has undergone a complete modernisation and significant expansion in preparation for the new Elizabeth line which will run through the station next year and also for the planned Crossrail 2 project which includes Tottenham Court Road on its route.

Businesses leaders welcomed the step-free access.

Jace Tyrrell, chief executive of the New West End Company, a leading business voice for the area, said: “It is reassuring to see vital changes like these being made to key Tube stations in the district as the Elizabeth line gears up to bring a further 60 million people annually to the West End.”

London Underground Paolozzi mosaics 7 show all London Underground Paolozzi mosaics 1/7 The Central Line platforms during the works Thierry Bal 2/7 The completed Oxford Street panel 3/7 The Oxford Street panel during the works Thomas Riggs 4/7 The Central Line platforms during the works 5/7 The Oxford Street panel pre-restoration 6/7 A completed Oxford Street panel Mike Garnett/TfL 7/7 The Central Line platforms post restoration Thierry Bal 1/7 The Central Line platforms during the works Thierry Bal 2/7 The completed Oxford Street panel 3/7 The Oxford Street panel during the works Thomas Riggs 4/7 The Central Line platforms during the works 5/7 The Oxford Street panel pre-restoration 6/7 A completed Oxford Street panel Mike Garnett/TfL 7/7 The Central Line platforms post restoration Thierry Bal

Lee Lyons of The Fitzrovia Partnership, which co-ordinates business-led organisations with community groups, residents and local authorities, said the station “is now a striking gateway to Fitzrovia allowing improved accessibility to those living, working and visiting the area.”

Contrast between old and new stations could not be more marked. Opened in July 1900 as part of the Central London Railway (CLR) it incorporated steep stairs, was difficult to negotiate with a cramped ticket hall. There are now three new entrances, a ticket hall five times larger than the original, eight new escalators and six new lifts.

There is improved lighting throughout, new tactile strips on platforms and stairs, contrasting handrails to help visually impaired passengers and much improved CCTV cameras.

Mark Wild, London Underground managing director, said: “When the upgrade of Bond Street station is completed later this year there will be step-free access to Oxford Street from both ends, hugely increasing options for thousands of Londoners.”