Step-free access to London

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Good news for passengers with reduced mobility: 50 per cent of all Transport for London underground and rail stations (Tfl) will have lift access by 2018.

Boris Johnson has recently declared that Tfl, which is both the third largest underground in the world and the third busiest one in Europe, is outstripping New York and Paris in providing disabled tube access.

The Mayor of London had earlier promised to make half of all tube stations step-free by the end of 2020.

However, the target has been brought forward to 2018, as 45 per cent of the 270 stations served on the network have already had their access improved.

Step-free entry and exit means there are no steps between street and platform level, making stations fully accessible to people who are unable to use stairs.

Such amelioration is not only vital for those experiencing either temporary or long-term walking problems, including wheelchair users, as people travelling with luggage and/or young children can benefit from it, as well.

At present there are 430 escalators and 167 lifts on the whole 249 miles London Underground network and 19 stations that only use lifts, against 12 only using escalators.

“London has one of the most accessible public transport networks of any major city, but (….) there is much more to be done to unable more people to get around the capital more easily,” Boris Johnson said.

The next station to have access improved will be Brent Cross, with the help of an extra £76m step-free partnership fund announced by Mr. Johnson last year. This considerable amount of money is expected to cover the renovation costs of eleven more stations.