Manual boarding ramps on the Tube
Transport for All
Transport for London have announced the 16 stations...
Transport for London have announced the 16 stations that will be operating manual boarding ramps – enabling wheelchair users to overcome the gap between the train and the platform.
If the use of the temporary ramps proves popular TfL will look to see how their use can be extended beyond the Games.
Transport for All welcomes these measures: manual boarding ramps in particular will open up parts of London which were are currently out of bounds to older and disabled transport users. However we strongly believe disabled Londoners deserve a legacy of accessible transport continuing beyond the Olympics and Paralympics.
We recently asked TfL Commissioner Peter Hendy, via London TravelWatch’s ‘Ask the Commissioner’ twitter interview if the ramps would be available for Londoners to use after the Olympics. Hendy replied he “can’t see any reason not to leave ramps in place and will review position following the Games“.
A series of short ‘how to’ films have also been released for disabled people unfamiliar with London’s public transport system.
If the Mayor is serious about a London where disabled and older people are included in all that the capital has to offer, he must restart investment in the Tube step free programme, which has been the victim of severe budget cuts in recent years. Even when the last medal has been handed out, older and disabled people want to travel with same freedom and independence as everyone else.
Transport for All will be out and about during the Games, using the ramps and speaking to Tube passengers using them. Please get in touch and let us know your views once you have used one.
It won’t be necessary to pre-book use of the ramps. When requested, Tube staff at the departure station should call ahead to the destination station to ensure that a ramp and member of staff will be waiting.
The stations are as follows:
West Ham (District and Hammersmith & City lines)
Fulham Broadway
Wimbledon
Southfields
Earl’s Court (District line)
Westminster (District and Circle lines),
Stratford (Central line)
Woodford, Oxford Circus (Bakerloo line)
Queen’s Park
Hammersmith (Hammersmith & City and Circle lines)
King’s Cross St. Pancras (Hammersmith & City and Circle lines)
Morden
Stockwell (Northern line)
Finchley Central
Edgware
Download the step free tube guide which indicates which stations will be operating the manual ramps.
