Transport for London (TfL) has been accused of deprioritising commuter stations in its drive to make half the network accessible by 2030. Currently, 94 of 272 Tube stations have step-free access, with around 40 more undergoing feasibility studies or design work. However, Liberal Democrat politicians in outer London have demanded the network accelerates the pace at which such studies are commissioned for stations technically outside the capital but under TfL control.
Lib Dems Call for Action
In a letter to TfL Commissioner Andy Lord and Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, signatories including London Assembly Member Gareth Roberts, Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor, and Leader of Three Rivers Council Stephen Giles-Medhurst highlighted inconsistencies in where assessments are carried out. The affected stations include Bushey, Moor Park, Carpenders Park, Croxley, Rickmansworth, Watford High Street, and Chorleywood, all on the Metropolitan or Overground Lioness Line.
Of these, only Croxley was approved for step-free infrastructure after a 2024 study recommended two lifts, but this has yet to be actioned. Rickmansworth and Moor Park were rejected after assessment, while the rest have not been studied.
Concerns Over Accessibility
“Given TfL’s stated commitments to accessibility, equality of opportunity, and inclusive transport, the absence of even preliminary studies at certain stations is a cause for concern,” the letter states. “We respectfully ask that you consider accelerating the pace at which feasibility studies are commissioned and carried out for stations under TfL control that are not currently step-free.”
Cllr Callum Robertson, representing Tudor Ward on Watford Borough Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “On the rare occasions these studies are carried out, not much is done after that. For Croxley, TfL have sat on the results for two years. TfL have a legal duty to make public places accessible. If you have a Duty of Care to make stations accessible, have the plans to do so but do nothing, that’s a dereliction of duty.”
Robertson added that commuters who contribute to the London economy are being penalised unfairly. “These stations aren’t within Greater London but are run by a body only accountable to voters in Greater London. How can our voters who want good public transport hold TfL to account? People are being penalised for going to London and contributing to the city’s economy. They pay artificially inflated prices to travel in. Labour and Sadiq Khan don’t give a damn about these commuters.”
TfL Response
A TfL spokesperson said: “Making more Tube stations step-free is a major part of our work to make the transport network more accessible. This work always starts with assessing stations to determine if step-free work is feasible, and we will continue to identify stations across the Tube network to carry out these assessments.”
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