Colindale station on the Northern Line has reopened following a £35 million renovation, bringing step-free access and a redesigned station to north-west London just days before Christmas.
London Underground passengers will find a newly transformed gateway at Colindale this Christmas. Transport for London opened the station’s doors this morning after an extensive £35 million renovation programme that has delivered major upgrades, including step-free access, a larger ticket hall, improved public spaces and a distinctly modern architectural feel.
The reopening comes at a moment when London’s transport network is under intense seasonal pressure. With Christmas Eve travel among the busiest in recent memory — tens of millions of journeys are expected across the UK today — the availability of accessible and spacious stations is a particularly welcome boost for passengers navigating the system with luggage or young families.
Colindale’s transformation is significant in both scale and ambition. The station — originally opened in 1924 as part of the extension of the Northern Line — has been reshaped to better serve a rapidly growing local population and to reflect broader plans for accessibility across the Tube network. The renewed ticket hall incorporates a timber-clad design referencing the area’s aviation heritage, including links to the former RAF Hendon base, and large windows that allow natural light to flood the concourse.
Perhaps the most impactful change for daily users is the installation of step-free access from street level to platforms. This addition makes Colindale the 94th step-free station on the London Underground, a major milestone in TfL’s long-term accessibility programme. For passengers with mobility needs, parents with buggies and travellers with luggage, the new lifts and level access mark a considerable improvement over the historic station layout.
Alongside functional improvements, the renovation also enhances the station’s sense of place. The design blends historic touches — such as the conservation of the station’s original clock — with contemporary features like wider pavements, a retail space for local businesses and a green roof that supports urban biodiversity. The aesthetic reflects a growing trend in London infrastructure projects where civic architecture and community-oriented spaces are integrated with transport functions.
Local leaders have hailed the reopening as a boon for residents and commuters alike. With new housing developments and commercial growth around the station, Colindale has become a key transport hub in north-west London — not just for daily travel but also for supporting nightlife, retail and cultural activities in the area. The upgrades are expected to ease congestion at peak times and to encourage more sustainable travel choices by making rail access easier for a broader cross-section of Londoners.
For visitors arriving in the capital over Christmas, Colindale’s improved facilities offer a more welcoming first impression — especially at a time of year when many Tube stations experience heavy flows of passengers and luggage that challenge older, less accessible layouts. TfL has emphasised that while the station is now open, some final works — including the full completion of retail units and public art installations — are planned to wrap up by mid-2026.
As London’s transport network grapples with record holiday travel levels, the reopening of Colindale is a timely reminder of the ongoing investment in infrastructure that aims to make the city’s transit system more inclusive, efficient and resilient in the long term.