Transport for London (TfL) has announced that all its London Crossrail stations will have step-free access.
New funding of around £19m means that Seven Kings, Maryland, Manor Park and Hanwell stations will have step-free access, bringing the number of accessible stations to 37 out of 40. TfL says it will continue to work with the Department for Transport (DfT) to provide step-free access at Taplow, Langley and Iver, the remaining three stations.
Mobility-impaired passengers have had a difficult time on public transport. Earlier this year, campaign group Transport for All said staff shortages in tube stations meant that disabled people were increasingly finding themselves unable to access trains. Managing director of London Underground and London Rail Mike Brown said:
"With Crossrail we have an opportunity to embed accessibility at the heart of the city's transport network. That's why we are funding improvements that will mean that all Crossrail stations in London are step-free. This will transform how disabled people can travel in and across the city, and we will now continue to work with the Department for Transport to ensure that all the other stations on the route are accessible."
If you're not busy today, the Access All Areas exhibition is on at the Excel centre. It's only open for one day, but it's a free public exhibition and conference about disabled and older people’s access to transport. The nearest DLR is Prince Regent and has step-free access.
Recently, a YouTube video was published, highlighting the lack of step-free access in London Underground stations.
Photo by Nigel Bewley in the Londonist Flickr pool.