Transport for London (TfL) has been working hard to improve step-free access to the Underground, but the latest development has seen work taking place on one of the very few subterranean Docklands Light Railway stations.
Cutty Sark Station is to reopen on March 23rd after a major revamp project, which has included completely replacing the escalators. In addition, there is a new passenger lift in place, which TfL said provides “more reliability and quicker access for all.”
These accessibility improvements come alongside various other new facilities and touches to make it a brighter and more user-friendly station to use, such as higher ceilings, LED lighting and artwork themed on the Greenwich area.
Located in the centre of Greenwich, close to the famous ship that it is named after, Cutty Sark Station is one of just four on the DLR network that are underground.
The oldest parts of the DLR date from the 1980s, so its underground stations were built with better disability access than the older Tube stations when they were first constructed, the earliest of which began operating in 1863.
What Is The State Of Step-Free Access In London?
However, recent work has been taking place on changing this, with a third of Tube stations now having step-free platform access. This has been included as standard on the most recent Tube stations, such as the two new Northern Line extensions in the Nine Elms area.
In addition, all 41 stations on Crossrail’s Elizabeth line have step-free access.
As most DLR stations are above ground, step-free access has been easier to establish and maintain.
However, going underground is not the only design challenge the system can face. Some stations are on elevated lines and this has been proposed for the new Thamesmead Station that would form part of a new extension.
This will enable the line to pass over a nature conservation site, but it means the elevated platform will need a passenger lift to reach it, just like many existing platforms on the DLR network.