A glance at the latest works on Transport for London’s website shows that the Piccadilly line on the Tube is continuing to undergo enhancement work, some of which involves improving access. This adds to an ongoing drive to make stations across the network more accessible.
However, while passenger lifts or other means of step-free access are increasing on the Tube and Overground and apply to all 42 stations on the Elizabeth line, attention is being increasingly focused on places where this is yet to happen.
Although 60 London Overground stations now have step-free access, there has been consternation at the plan to add more to the list being put on hold due to cost constraints. As My London reported this month, Seven Sisters is one of those stations.
Apparently, the kind of passenger lift due to be installed is central to the problem, with a TfL spokesperson stating: “These additional costs are due to delays with the certification of a new type lift by Network Rail and general inflationary pressures.”
However, this does mean the lift will be on the way eventually, once cost and red tape issues are sorted out. Other stations on the Overground affected by similar delays include Palmers Green and Enfield.
Seven Sisters is not an isolated case. Across the capital, London News Online recently reported on an online petition calling for passenger lifts to be installed to enable those with limited mobility to access Kensington (Olympia) Station.
Over 1,000 people have signed the petition, arguing that without the lifts the £1.3 billion redevelopment of Olympia will be inaccessible to some people, as it requires people with limited mobility to walk 600 metres across the station from the current step-free access facilities to the station platforms.
Yoo Capital, which owns the Olympia complex, has stated that it supports the petition and is keen to work with TfL, Network Rail and local residents to find a solution.