More underground stations lined up for step free access

Transport for London has announced plans to upgrade a further ten tube stations across the network with step free access should funding be confirmed. The upgrades are thought to cost around £20 million per year.

The stations have still to be fully reviewed but the following have been earmarked for step free access: Alperton, Arnos Grove, Burnt Oak, Eastcote, Finchley Road, Northolt, North Acton, Rayners Lane, West Hampstead and White City. TfL has said that the stations were chosen to include different zones across the city and to create as big an impact as possible on the accessibility of the whole network. Currently, only 1/3 of underground stations are step free, though 24 have been upgraded in recent years and the new Elizabeth Line has been built with accessibility in mind.

Further stations including Leyton and Colindale are also due for an upgrade thanks to the Levelling up Fund, with the Northern Line in particular being looked at for its accessibility as there is a significant gap between Elephant and Castle and Morden.

Speaking about the announcement, Caroline Strickland, Chief Executive at Transport for All said: “This policy can make a meaningful difference to the lives of disabled Londoners, here’s hoping TfL’s proposals can find funding and that our tube network can be made much more accessible for all.”