DETAILS of how £7.3m will be allocated to improving the areas around Ealing’s five Crossrail stations were agreed this week by the council’s cabinet.

The borough was awarded the money by Transport for London after a successful bid and represents nearly a quarter of the £28.5m pot made available for the capital.

It will be spent on improving the areas immediately around Acton Main Line, Ealing Broadway, Hanwell, Southall and West Ealing stations.

The funding will be allocated over four financial years 2015-16, in line with arrangements agreed between TfL and the London boroughs.

Initial designs have been drawn up and are subject to further consultation, but the projects could mean better facilities such as cycle parking and seating, as well as improved accessibility to stations, through better layout and enhanced forecourts.

Pat Hayes, Ealing Council’s regeneration and housing executive director, said: “This money will improve the environment around all the Crossrail stations and make using them a more pleasurable experience.”

Crossrail means residents will be able to get from Ealing Broadway to central London in 11 minutes and to Canary Wharf in just 26.

A small amount of work may start this year, on lighting, CCTV, and enhanced crossing works to the south of Hanwell station.

In 2012, TfL announced funding of £28.5million for improvement measures around all of the London Crossrail stations.

Ealing was allocated £7.3m towards its five stations of Ealing Broadway, £1.07m; Southall, £2.3m; West Ealing, £1.464m, Acton Main Line, £1.448m; and Hanwell, £1.070m.