TfL asks customers to help shape the future of step-free access

Credit: Transport for London (TfL)

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a public consultation to shape future step-free access priorities and improvements on the London Underground network, the first of its kind in 15 years.

The consultation, which runs until 10 February 2022, has been designed to help TfL identify which aspects of making London Underground stations more accessible it should prioritise, to bring the most far-reaching and beneficial impacts, and help more Londoners use the public transport network independently.

Over half (51 per cent) of the TfL rail network – spanning Tube, DLR, London Overground, London Trams, and TfL Rail services – is now step-free. Since 2016, 21 Tube stations have been made step free as part of the London Underground accessibility programme, the Crossrail project and the Northern Line Extension. The recent completion of work at Osterley Tube station brings the total number of step-free stations on the Tube to 89 – close to 33 per cent of the whole Tube network. Information from the consultation responses will be used to shape and inform TfL’s future approach for step-free Tube stations, should the government provide funding for future programmes.

As part of the consultation, respondents will be asked whether they would prefer future funding to focus on upgrading a single, complex central London station, or be divided between smaller or medium sized stations located outside central London. They will also be asked whether they would prefer for future funding to be used to improve clusters of accessible stations to create a close group of accessible stations or upgrade areas with limited accessibility, or a combination of both.

Cockfosters Underground station goes step-free

“Making independent, spontaneous travel easier for Londoners is one of TfL’s top priorities. By launching this important public consultation, we will hear directly from Londoners about how we could best make tube stations more accessible through the provision of step-free access when more funding is available. This will enable us to prioritise delivering the most impactful changes to make London’s public transport more equitable and inclusive, should we receive funding from government,” said Esther Sharples, Director of Asset Performance and Capital Delivery at TfL.

Katie Pennick, Transport for All’s Campaigns Lead said: “Step-free access is one of the biggest challenges facing the Tube network. While in recent years there have been dramatic improvements, with key stations such as Bond Street and Finsbury Park opening up to disabled passengers, there is still a long way to go. Currently 89 out of the 272 Tube stations have step-free access from at least street level to platform. Many disabled Londoners live, work, or socialise in areas that aren’t served by an accessible station, meaning journey times can often be four times longer than those of non-disabled people.

“We really welcome TfL’s approach to ensuring the views, experiences and priorities of disabled people are factored in to the strategy for future step-free improvements. We have long campaigned for disabled people to have a say in the design and delivery of schemes that impact us. We encourage all disabled people – across all the impairment groups – to share their views as part of this consultation, to ensure the data is as representative and reflective as it can be.”