A few years ago, the best, and often only, way for a wheelchair user to travel across London was by taxi. Taking taxis for every journey can prove costly and many disabled people could easily think London is not for them.
Things are changing: the Olympic Games in 2012 have put accessible transport on the agenda. Now there are several ways a disabled person can travel through London, with online tools to support them.
Travelling on the Underground
So what are the methods of transport available? The most popular option, the Underground, is still difficult for most disabled travellers. The forthcoming Olympic Games have led to improved access in the South East of the City. Most stations in this area have level access from surface to train, and little gap between the platform edge and the train. The difficulties lie in getting to these stations from other destinations. Some stations like Euston, do not have step-free access from the surface, but can be used to change lines.
Guide to Access On the Underground
London Transport provides a guide to step-free access on the Underground. This explains which lines are accessible, from which station and in what direction. It details, the size of the step and the width of the gap between train and platform. The step height at some stations, like Brixton has improved by installing humped areas on the platform to raise the platform to train height. This requires that the user needing easy access has to line up with a hump to enter the train.
Tube access is improving all the time, and London Transport states 25% of stations will have step free access by 2010, and by 2017 more stations in central London will be step free.
Travel by Bus in London
London has one of the largest fleets of accessible buses in the world, and for many users it is an easier and simpler option than the Underground. All London buses, except for a couple of heritage routes, have low floor entry and ramps that are automatically lowered when needed. Travel by bus is free for wheelchair users and holders of an England free bus pass. London Transport publishes a route planner similar to the Underground map, to make journey planning easier. Not only is bus travel easy, it also offers sightseeing opportunities that are not available on the Underground.
Other Methods - River Bus and Docklands Railway
Visitors wanting something different could try a River Bus, most piers and all River Buses are wheelchair accessible. London Transport publishes a Getting Around Guide, with details of all types of Transport in London, including River Buses and Docklands Light Railway, which was the first completely accessible railway in England. Many other access guides can be downloaded at the same site.
Planning the Journey
Before commencing a journey the London Transport journey planner allows users to enter their choices for level or stepped access, lifts or escalators, walking time between connections and preferred methods of transport. Using this before travelling or having access to it on an Internet enabled mobile device makes travelling around London a simple and enjoyable experience.
Do not be put off by past bad experiences or tales from others. London can be enjoyed by everyone, not just the young and able-bodied.
Denise Oyston - I am a Further Education Lecturer, specialising in IT. I am interested in basic skills teaching, especially literacy and numeracy as well ...
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