Work begins at Wembley on new Olympic Steps
What is happening at Wembley?
Work has begun to replace the pedestrian walk which marks the approach to Wembley Stadium (known as the ‘pedway’) with an iconic new entrance to the national stadium. The centrepiece of these works is the Olympic Steps, which form the final stage of a wider package of upgrades to the length of Olympic Way.
Quintain, the owner and developer of Wembley Park, is delivering the Olympic Steps as part of the London Borough of Brent Area Action plan. It has been a decade-long ambition of the council to replace the pedway with a set of steps and the project was given planning permission by Brent Council in 2018. Throughout the project, Quintain has worked in collaboration with Brent Council, The FA and Wembley Stadium.
Why does the pedway need to be replaced?
The pedway was built in the 1970s as a bridge over open air coach parks that no longer exist. It is a remnant of the old Wembley Stadium which was reconstructed in 2007 to become the national stadium we know and love today.
The current pedway is not suitable for wheelchair users due to the gradient of the ramp, which is also challenging for a number of other spectators including those with a range of other access requirements and our older guests. The Olympic Steps project provides better access, with the introduction of four new lifts from ground level to the ticket office level and Wembley Stadium concourse. Each lift can hold three wheelchair users plus companions, giving a total capacity of 12 wheelchair users at a time. The Olympic Steps have been designed after consultation with Level Playing Field, an organisation that promotes a positive, inclusive experience for disabled sports fans. To visit their website, please click here.
Wembley Stadium is a major events venue. How have you ensured the Olympic Steps are suitable for crowds?
The steps have been designed to meet industry best practice and guidance alongside all relevant safety standards. Rigorous testing will take place before the Olympic Steps are in regular use.
To find out more about the construction work and wider upgrades to the local area, please click here
Work has begun to replace the pedestrian walk which marks the approach to Wembley Stadium (known as the ‘pedway’) with an iconic new entrance to the national stadium. The centrepiece of these works is the Olympic Steps, which form the final stage of a wider package of upgrades to the length of Olympic Way.
Quintain, the owner and developer of Wembley Park, is delivering the Olympic Steps as part of the London Borough of Brent Area Action plan. It has been a decade-long ambition of the council to replace the pedway with a set of steps and the project was given planning permission by Brent Council in 2018. Throughout the project, Quintain has worked in collaboration with Brent Council, The FA and Wembley Stadium.
Why does the pedway need to be replaced?
The pedway was built in the 1970s as a bridge over open air coach parks that no longer exist. It is a remnant of the old Wembley Stadium which was reconstructed in 2007 to become the national stadium we know and love today.
What does this mean for visitors with access requirements?
The current pedway is not suitable for wheelchair users due to the gradient of the ramp, which is also challenging for a number of other spectators including those with a range of other access requirements and our older guests. The Olympic Steps project provides better access, with the introduction of four new lifts from ground level to the ticket office level and Wembley Stadium concourse. Each lift can hold three wheelchair users plus companions, giving a total capacity of 12 wheelchair users at a time. The Olympic Steps have been designed after consultation with Level Playing Field, an organisation that promotes a positive, inclusive experience for disabled sports fans. To visit their website, please click here.
Wembley Stadium is a major events venue. How have you ensured the Olympic Steps are suitable for crowds?
The steps have been designed to meet industry best practice and guidance alongside all relevant safety standards. Rigorous testing will take place before the Olympic Steps are in regular use.
To find out more about the construction work and wider upgrades to the local area, please click here