Summary : Initially referred to as 'East Barnet', the name Enfield West was chosen for the station now known as Oakwood as it was expected that Enfield would be the main source of traffic, although it was some distance from the station. Built in 1933, it was designed by Charles James with Charles Holden for the Piccadilly line extension. The ticket hall tower was of a considerable size, the dimension and position of the hall dictated by the spacing and span of the beams carrying the building over the railway. The external brickwork was of 'No. 2 light brown' Welsh pressed bricks set back at the seventh course above a plinth of polished grey granite, and the lower tower was finished in Buckinghamshire multi-coloured facings. Around the cornice of the lower buildings was a band of green tiles. Beneath the canopy a bell was fixed which rang to notify bus conductors to await passengers from an approacing northbound train. Inside the canopied area was an enclosed waiting space with a bench at each end. Black glazed bricks with white pointing lined the hall and above the ring beam walls were of light brown brick. At the rear of the hall was a gallery with steps down to the single island platform. The ends of the gallery have since been closed off and converted into offices. Designed by Stanley Heaps, the concrete platform canopy was cantileverd from a single row of piers. Seats built between the piers were fitted with glass screens as windbreaks. |