The need for better platform lift provision is something rail and Metro firms have been increasingly aware of in recent years, with one of the most notable developments being the fact that the Crossrail Elizabeth Line opened with step-free access at all 42 stations.
New data published by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has now revealed the extent of passenger lift coverage at stations across the UK. In total, there are 1,327 lifts at Network Rail stations, up from 1,277 a year ago and 1,257 in March 2023.
The number has not declined in any regional operator area, but some have increased provision by more than others. Southern was a notably strong performer, with an increase over the past two years from 307 lifts to 338.
When it came to Network Rail stations with at least one lift, the number has risen from 479 to 507 over the last two years, with Southern again being an outstanding performer, up from 124 to 134 over the same period.
However, not all the statistics show an improving picture. While there may be more lifts, their reliability has declined, with a nine per cent increase in recorded faults. This cannot be attributed entirely to the larger number of lifts, because this equates to a five per cent rise in faults per lift.
Worse still was a 22 per cent rise in the number of entrapments, with the average time people were stuck in lifts up 11 per cent from 44 minutes to 49.The importance of lifts may be greatest in London, since the ORR’s statistics for station usage show that the dozen busiest stations in the country (and 15 out of the busiest 20) are in the capital, with Liverpool Street heading the list for entries and exits with almost 95 million a year. Paddington was second, Tottenham Court Road third and Waterloo fourth.