TfL Denies Misplaced Funds Over Hanger Lane Subway in Ealing 2026

Key Points

• Refurbishment Start: Improvement works are officially under way at the Hanger Lane station subway, more than three years after funding was transferred. EALING.NEWS
• Financial Transfer: Ealing Council confirmed it received £235,000 in Section 106 developer contributions from The Stay Club development in December 2022 and subsequently transferred the full amount to Transport for London (TfL) in January 2023.
• Liberal Democrat Allegations: The Ealing Liberal Democrats alleged that TfL had “seemed to ‘misplace’ the funds in their systems and so it ‘disappeared’ without the works being done”.
• Internal Correspondence: The political party cited an internal TfL email dated 10 February 2025, in which an officer wrote: “Sounds as if we need to assign the funds in the right place internally and he can get started,” arguing this proved the funds had been lost internally.
• Councillor’s Campaign: Hanger Hill ward Councillor Athena Zissimos claimed she spent more than two years pursuing both Ealing Council and TfL to trace the money and bring the project forward.
• TfL’s Rejection: TfL firmly rejected the claim that the money was misplaced, stating that complex design development, planning, and coordination were required before physical work could safely commence.
• Scope of Works: Improvements feature the replacement of broken tiles at subway entrances matching original designs, the renewal of anti-slip surfacing, and the installation of anti-graffiti artwork on the railway bridge.
• Completion Timeline: TfL stated that the project is anticipated to be fully completed by the end of the summer.

London (Extra London News) July 29, 2026 – Refurbishment work has finally commenced at the Hanger Lane station subway more than three years after Ealing Council transferred £235,000 in Section 106 developer contributions to Transport for London (TfL), prompting a sharp dispute between local transport authorities and Liberal Democrat campaigners over what caused the prolonged delay.

Why was there a delay in the Hanger Lane subway refurbishment?

The delay in executing the project has become a point of contention between political representatives and transport officials. As reported by Ben Simons of EALING.NEWS, refurbishment work is only now underway after more than three years of administrative gaps following the allocation of developer funds.

Ealing Council explained to EALING.NEWS that it had received £235,000 from The Stay Club development in December 2022 before transferring the complete sum to TfL in January 2023.

However, local political figures argue that the money languished due to organizational oversight. The Ealing Liberal Democrats claimed that TfL had

“seemed to ‘misplace’ the funds in their systems and so it ‘disappeared’ without the works being done”.

According to the party, Hanger Hill ward Councillor Athena Zissimos spent more than two years doggedly pursuing the issue across both Ealing Council and TfL to track down the missing capital.

Did internal emails prove that TfL lost the funds?

To substantiate their claims regarding the missing capital, the Ealing Liberal Democrats pointed toward internal email correspondence obtained from the transport body.

As reported by Ben Simons of EALING.NEWS, the party highlighted an email dated 10 February 2025, in which an unnamed TfL officer wrote: “Sounds as if we need to assign the funds in the right place internally and he can get started”.

The Liberal Democrats maintained that this specific documentation supported their assertion that Councillor Athena Zissimos’ two-year campaign was vital in locating the untracked capital and compelling transport authorities to pull the project out of administrative limbo.

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How did Transport for London respond to the allegations?

Transport for London rejected the interpretation presented by the local political opposition, denying outright that any administrative negligence or loss of money occurred. As reported by Ben Simons of EALING.NEWS, a TfL spokesperson stated:

“The funding for this work was not misplaced. Like all our improvement projects, this scheme required design development, planning and coordination before any work could begin, and we work hard to deliver these projects at pace as part of a wider programme of maintenance and improvements”.

Defending the timeline and the necessity of preliminary technical work, the TfL spokesperson added:

“We look forward to completing the refurbishment later this summer so that those in the area can benefit from a cleaner and more welcoming subway”.

What role did Ealing Council play in the financial transfer?

Ealing Council maintained a neutral position regarding the internal management dispute between TfL and local councillors.

As reported by Ben Simons of EALING.NEWS, the local authority confirmed that it successfully transferred the Section 106 funds to TfL in January 2023 following receipt from the developer.

Ealing Council formally referred all subsequent questions concerning the timeline, management, and operational delivery of the subway project directly back to TfL.

What improvements are being made to the Hanger Lane subway?

Despite the controversy surrounding the timeline, local stakeholders have welcomed the physical transformations currently taking place on site.

As reported by Ben Simons of EALING.NEWS, the ongoing improvements include the replacement of broken tiles at the subway entrances, the renewal of anti-slip surfacing, and the installation of anti-graffiti artwork across the railway bridge.

Elaborating on the aesthetic restoration, the Ealing Liberal Democrats noted in their local communications covered by Ben Simons of EALING.NEWS that the original tile designs are strictly being adhered to.

This approach aims to protect local heritage, returning the structure to its “former glory” while contributing to a clean and functional community environment. Additional independent art projects and commemorative plaques are also expected to celebrate the historic mural artwork originally installed by notable artist Sarah Morris.

What was the final reaction from local representatives?

Expressing satisfaction over the eventual realization of the project, Councillor Athena Zissimos, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for environment, streets, parks and climate change, offered a stern defense of her political efforts.

As reported by Ben Simons of EALING.NEWS, Councillor Athena Zissimos stated:

“Liberal Democrats are pleased that the original tile designs are being adhered to in Hanger Lane subway, returning it to its former glory and contributing to a clean and refurbished community environment. It shows that it is only through my persistence, doggedness and diligence that this project is delivering. The Liberal Democrats deliver for local residents”.

With contractors actively on site and the finishing touches underway, TfL has reiterated its expectation that the comprehensive subway overhaul will wrap up completely by the end of the summer season, bringing long-awaited relief to commuters and pedestrians navigating the Hanger Lane gyratory.