Step-free access consultation

[vincenture]

tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2021/november/tfl-asks-customers-to-help-shape-the-future-of-step-free-access

This would be controversial for many I believe. I prefer them to focus on major missing gaps and stations that are in critical need of lift access due to depth. Examples for the former would be between Finsbury Park and Oakwood, or between Morden and Elephant & Castle/Waterloo (using Waterloo and Elephant Castle since both are under planning or in the works). As for depth, stations like Hampstead make access difficult for its deep nature. Belsize Park can be an alternative consideration.

What are your thoughts? Also if anyone is looking for the consultation link here's a convenient link below:


haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/tube-step-free-access

[jimbo]

They've done this sort of consultation a few times, but little seems to have come of it, so here we go again!

[brigham]

Asking the actual end-users what they want?

How could THEY possibly know what they need...

[jimbo]

Since in late 2021 "the total number of step-free stations on the Tube to 89", this 2007 report makes interesting reading (from Nov 2007 Underground News):

'London Underground: Towards an Accessible Tube' is an LU consultation document designed to direct the next phase of this wide-ranging project. It invites comments before the end of 2007.

The 2002 LU publication 'Unlocking London for All' listed 29 stations to become step-free by 2006 (see Underground News no.508, April 2004, Station Redevelopment Plans). Only 8 are listed as completed in this new booklet: Brixton, Earl's Court, East Ham, Fulham Broadway, Hounslow East, Hounslow West, Kilburn and Wembley Park. In addition 11 are listed where work is under way: Euston Square (partial), Finchley Central, Hainault, Heathrow T5, Hendon Central, Kings Cross, Morden, Oakwood, Pinner, Waterloo (W&C), and Wood Lane. Some of the minor step-free projects were listed in the PPP contracts, so funding for those with Metronet must now be in doubt.

A so-called Foundation Network includes stations already providing step-free access and also a further 37 locations where plans are already advanced:

Acton Town
Archway
Baker Street SSL
Clapham South
East Putney
Edgware
Euston Square
Finsbury Park
Golders Green
Greenford
Green Park
Harrow-on-the-Hill
High Barnet Highbury & Islington
Kennington
Kingsbury
Ladbroke Grove
Leyton
Liverpool Street
Newbury Park
North Acton
Paddington
Queensway
Rayners Lane
Roding Valley
Shepherd’s Bush (C)
Southfields
South Kensington
Stockwell
Tooting Broadway
Tottenham Court Road
Tower Hill
Turnham Green
Vauxhall
Victoria
Waterloo (B&N)
Wood Green

The earlier LU report noted that at Waterloo and Highbury the disused lift shafts are to be re-equipped. This programme will double the current number of step-free stations to 92 by 2013, but still covering less than a fifth of all journeys made. This is compared with the originally planned 111 stations by 2024 (stated as "roughly 100 by 2020"). "In 2005 the Mayor of London announced the acceleration of the step-free programme to have one-third of the network, that’s 92 stations, with step-free access by 2013." What acceleration? All but 12 were originally scheduled by 2013, so another 7 have been dropped from the original programme [111 -12 -7 = 92] . Many of these stations could be included in a further group of stations to be completed by the original target date.

A major purpose of the new publication is to seek views on further stations to be made step-free in a programme to run from 2013. Two alternatives are suggested based upon the number of journeys made, or upon the residential areas of passengers. Given a similar spend, the former would reach 135 stations (half) covering half of all journeys made, whilst the latter would reach 169 stations (almost 2 in 3) serving only a third of all journeys. This difference comes from most journeys being in the central area where deep stations are expensive to convert, whilst most residences are in areas with surface stations. It is suggested that passengers may continue their journeys from step-free stations using buses or taxis, which are more plentiful in the central area. There are currently no LU stations within the Circle Line offering step-free access to platforms. On the Circle Line there are now Westminster and Kings Cross (SSL). Of course the DLR has always offered such access including at Bank.

Interestingly, this report states that "step-free access between platform and train represents, in many ways, a greater challenge than access between street and platform". Even the new Victoria Line trains will need platform work since they cannot be made lower. At the Society's June 2007 meeting it was suggested that humps will be built on all of this Line's platforms alongside the two cars with wheelchair provision. However, in this publication the humps at Waterloo and Bank (W&C), Wembley Park and London Bridge (N) are stated to be experimental and expensive. A trial is being considered of use of National Rail style portable ramps at terminal platforms where trains stand a while. On the sub-surface lines the new S-stock "will be built at a height that provides level access at most platforms, but some platforms have non-standard heights. And at many stations the gap will still exist because of curvature, for example, so we’ll need to use flexible 'gap fillers' or some other means of overcoming the gap". However, the Department for Transport's 'Significant Steps' report found that gaps under 20cm caused little problem for all but wheelchair users. The S-stock introduction will probably address the majority of LU platform gaps above this height.

Amongst many other points, this publication also asks whether LU should make more information available to concerned passengers about its emergency evacuation procedures. Some operators display such information in their trains.

[vincenture]

Though I have to give some credit because generations change, with new respondents which means different result (different priorities)

[jimbo]

Press release notes state: "TfL data from 2018 showed 45% of Londoners required step-free access in the prior six months". That's almost half of people!

[jimbo]

I found it hard to come to grips with “45% of Londoners required step-free access in the prior six months”. When step-free access is provided at stations, demand does not increase by 80% (45% on top of the 55% already carried). I suppose the 45% must await similar access at their intended destination station, and at any required interchanges along the route. But 45% “required step-free access in the prior six months”, not necessarily for daily trips. Some may only require it to attend appointments, for a trip with bulky luggage to the airport, or with grandchildren to the museums, etc. So perhaps that explains why demand growth is less than 45% first suggests to me?

[melikepie]

I could already see there being a problem with providing step-free access at Clapham Common and Clapham North as there would need to be a reconstruction of the entire station akin to Angel and Bank due to the narrow platforms, not to mention the stairs are also in the way.