Calls were made in the London Assembly yesterday for the Mayor to launch a review into accessibility along the Elizabeth Line.
The call, from Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon AM comes following reports from travellers with disabilities that they have been left unable to board stations along the line due to a lack of level access or boarding ramp.
Earlier this month, a video by Katie Pennick went viral amassing almost 3 million views after Katie was left stranded at Maryland station due to the ticket office being closed and no member of staff around to help with the manual boarding ramp, needed to board the train. Caroline also raised the issue of a lack of tactile paving on some platform edges on the line such as at Hanwell Station.
During her exchange with the Mayor, Caroline Pidgeon AM highlighted that the Elizabeth Line is supposed to be the jewel in the crown of Transport for London’s network and should be the exemplar of a truly accessible transport service, yet passengers are still experiencing problems.
The exchange follows from previous questions put to the Mayor by Assembly Member Pidgeon in July asking why under current plans there will be no level boarding at the planned £1.7 billion Old Oak Common Station.
In response to Assembly Member Pidgeon’s request for a review into accessibility on the Elizabeth Line, the Mayor agreed to look at staffing on the line as well as a wider audit into tactile paving at stations.
Commenting Caroline Pidgeon AM said:
“I am pleased that the Mayor of London has agreed to look into the issue of accessibility on the Elizabeth Line as part of a wider audit.
“TfL has a clear service commitment that all Elizabeth Line stations are staffed from the first to the last train, with a ‘turn up and go’ service offered to anyone needing assistance.
“We must do better when it comes to ensuring public transport is truly accessible for all Londoners.”
