Transport for London (TfL) has announced plans to grow the number of London Underground stations offering step-free access to include North Acton and Northolt in a review it is undertaking on which stations will come next and could be ready in 2026.
Ten stations have been identified of which two – North Acton and Northolt are within the London Borough of Ealing while the others include Alperton, Arnos Grove, Burnt Oak, Eastcote, Finchley Road, Rayners Lane, West Hampstead and White City.
Previously TfL carried out design works at Northolt and Burnt Oak stations but this was paused during the pandemic. TfL will be expanding on this work to evaluate the best way to deliver step-free upgrades at the stations
According to TfL, the ten stations have been identified through research and feedback from campaigners on TfL’s consultation on step-free access in 2021 which saw 5,500 responses.
TfL said it is also continuing to actively engage local authorities, developers and businesses in other areas of London to explore what options are available to introduce further step-free access to stations.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I am committed to ensuring London’s world-class public transport network is accessible for all Londoners. While there is still work to be done, I am proud that since I became Mayor we have increased the number of step-free stations across London by 20 per cent, meaning there are now more than 200 on TfL’s network.
“I’m delighted to announce the next ten Tube stations TfL will review for potential step-free access, and I am determined to keep working to deliver a public transport network that is accessible to all as we build a better, fairer London for everyone.”
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “More than a third of the Tube network is now step-free, and we have also delivered the step-free Elizabeth line, as well as improvements on the London Overground, but we know that we must do more to make London’s transport network truly accessible and inclusive.
“This is why we’re working with partners to fund even more step-free access at Tube stations and these stations are a key part of these plans to create a more accessible public transport network that benefits everyone.”
Caroline Stickland, Chief Executive Officer for Transport for All, said: “We are extremely pleased to see more stations being made step-free, bringing us one step closer to an equitable, accessible transport system for all.
“Currently, only 1 in 3 London Underground stations has step-free access. This shuts disabled people out of vast swathes of the network, forcing us to take long and convoluted routes, and even preventing us from travelling entirely. By offering more targeted investment to prioritise areas that will have the widest impact, this policy can make a meaningful difference to the lives of disabled Londoners.
“We urge Transport for London and all decision makers to work as fast as possible to introduce station upgrades across the capital, to ensure every station receives the right investment in accessibility and so that every disabled Londoner in every community can finally get from A to B.”
Additional stations that could be progressed following initial feasibility work include Boston Manor, North Ealing and Park Royal stations.
A TfL spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “Making our transport network more accessible and inclusive is a top priority for us, as we know that a more accessible public transport network benefits everyone. We understand the importance of providing step-free access at as many stations as possible. Initial design work was completed at Boston Manor station in relation to making it step-free before the work was paused at the start of pandemic, pending further discussions about funding. The responses to our recent step-free access consultation are shaping our short-term work to improve accessibility and our long-term goals where funding is available.”
 has announced plans to grow the number of London Underground stations offering step-free access to include North Acton and Northolt in a review it is undertaking on which stations will come next and could be ready in 2026.){kind=link}