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Post by sudburytown on Sept 5, 2024 22:11:47 GMT
This is a question that arose during one of those in depth late night conversations that take place when most sensible people are fast asleep. How many London Underground stations are completely step or lift free? I'm not asking about those stations that are listed as step-free but may also have lifts, escalators or steps in part of the station, I'm looking for stations that are completely step free from street to platform. Off the top of my head, I can only think of Hammersmith (C&H) and possibly Chesham, but I'm sure there must be more. Any suggestions?
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Post by spsmiler on Sept 5, 2024 23:07:10 GMT
Roding Valley - maybe a few steps but just a couple
Some stations on the route to Upminster have ramps / no steps, lifts or escalators
Kew Gardens- maybe a few steps but just a couple
I think Woodside Park might be.
High Barnet - albeit on a steeply graded public footpath
One of the platforms at Epping - and I think that Woodford or South Woodford will also come in to this category - perhaps depending on which station entrance you use.
Platform 3a at Stratford *might* be in this category - also platforms 13 - 16 at this station, again depending on which station entrance you use
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Post by Chris M on Sept 6, 2024 2:34:04 GMT
Roding Valley does have steps into the ticket hall iirc, although they are easily bypassable. It is not possible to cross between platforms other than via the street or the stepped footbridge.
Kew Gardens has a flight of about 4 or 5 steps from the street to the southbound/westbound platform with an adjacent ramp. The subway is step-free but the gradient is quite steep iirc. The footbridge has steps.
Woodside Park I think has completely step-free access (other than a kerb) from the street to the adjacent platforms but crossing between platforms requires using a stepped footbridge or circa half-mile walk via a road bridge.
High Barnet has two entrances. Both can be accessed step-free from the street, but the higher one is accessible from the platform only via the stepped footbridge. There are also several rooms off the platform that are not step-free (at least some are non-public, but I'm not certain that toilets and/or waiting room are not located here)
South Woodford is step-free from both adjacent streets, but the platforms are connected by a stepped footbridge and a public subway that has stepped and ramped access.
Woodford is similar but one of the entrances to the eastbound ticket hall is accessed by a single step.
Both platforms at Epping have step-free access to the street but the street entrance to what was the westbound platform when it was a through station is only open at peak times AIUI. The platforms are only connected by a stepped footbridge or nearby road bridge.
The Jubilee line platforms (13-15) and the Stratford International bound DLR platform (16) are completely step-free from the new Carpenters Estate entrance, but access to all other parts of the station requires lifts. The Canning Town-bound DLR platform (17) is the only one completely step-free from the main (Stratford Square/bus station) entrance. The high-level DLR platforms (4a and 4b), both westbound Central line platforms (3 and 3A) and the westbound Elizabeth line platform (5) are completely step free from the mezzanine entrance (although 3 and 5 use a ramp to bypass stairs), this entrance can be reached without stairs/lifts only via the bridge from Westfield. I think it is theoretically possible to use the two entrances to interchange step-free without lifts between the westbound Central line and Jubilee line, but this is a circuitous circa 1 mile walk via streets.
The platforms at Stanmore can be accessed via ramps (or stairs) from the car park but there are steps to the main entrance.
Both platforms at Buckhurst Hill are accessible via ramps from a public subway but the main entrance and ticket hall are accessed only via steps.
Both platforms at Sudbury town are accessible on the level from the street, and the combined public and station footbridge between them has both ramps and steps, although the entrance to the ramps is around 50 m from the station entrance on both sides.
Heathrow Terminal 4 is step free within the station, but I think a lift is required to access the station level from the terminal.
Hammersmith (H&C) has a stepped footbridge between the London (north/east) end of the platforms, but I don't think this is currently in public use (it used to be) making it step-free to all public areas
Chesham is completely step free to all public areas with the possible exception of the garden in the former platform track bed (it isn't step-free but I'm unsure if it's a public area).
Elm Park, Dagenham Heathway and Upney are all step-free from the street to the platform via relatively steep ramps and don't have any public areas that require steps to access AFAIK.
There are several other stations where one platform is accessible without lifts or stairs but the other isn't (e.g. Debden, Ruislip) and plenty where interchange can be made only on the level/with ramps. I think this is it though for the Underground.
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Post by Chris M on Sept 6, 2024 2:34:15 GMT
Broadening the query to include LO, DLR and the Elizabeth line doesn't add all that many. On the DLR:
Beckton platforms are accessed by stairs or a ramp from the street.
Cyprus and Gallions Reach both platforms are accessed by steps or ramps from the street with a step-free station/public footbridge linking them.
Royal Victoria platforms are level/ramped from the street but changing platforms requires lifts or walking nearly as far as Royal Albert/Canning Town.
The outer platforms at Canary Wharf DLR can be accessed on the level from the shopping centre, but lifts are required to get anywhere other than that floor.
At Mudchute, the northbound platform is accessible only via a ramp from the street, the southbound has both a ramp and steps (at opposite ends of the platform), the only connection between them is only via the street for everyone but the step-free route is a lot longer (you have to walk along the street for the entire length of the southbound platform).
Elverson Road has level access from the street to both platforms. Access between them is via a public footbridge (explicitly signed as being the responsibility of the borough) with both ramps and steps.
Lewisham is a gentle gradient from the street but the exit to the National Rail station only has steps.
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Post by Chris M on Sept 6, 2024 3:03:50 GMT
On London Overground: Enfield Town and Cheshunt have only level access/ramps between the street and platforms.
Anerley, Bush Hill Park, Penge West and South Acton have level access from the street to both platforms, but access between them is via a stepped footbridge or a road bridge (a long walk at Penge West and South Acton).
At Liverpool Street, the LO platforms are accessible via a shallow ramp from Broadgate Circle but I think all other entrances require lifts or stairs.
Emerson Park has no steps and is accessible only via a moderately steep ramp.
Acton Central has ramped access only to the Richmond-bound platform, the Stratford-bound platform is accessed by a choice of a ramp or a steps. Access between the platforms is via the road level crossing or stairs to the subway.
At West Croydon the LO platform and adjacent NR platform are connected by steps and ramps. Access to the ticket hall and southbound NR platform is via stairs or the car park and street.
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Post by Chris M on Sept 6, 2024 3:20:26 GMT
The Elizabeth line: Heathrow Terminal 4 is step-free within the station, but access to the station from the terminal requires a lift. I think the same is true at Heathrow Central but I'm doubting my memory.
Abbey Wood Elizabeth line platforms can be accessed via lifts, stairs or a ramp from Felixstowe Road but accessing the Southeastern platforms needs lifts. The ticket hall can be accessed step-free from the street, but both sets of platforms are connected to it via stairs and lifts only.
At Romford, all platforms can be accessed from the subway via steps or ramps but accessing the ticket hall from the subway requires steps or lifts. There is a ramp from the street to the subway, bypassing the ticket hall, but I'm not sure whether this is still open now there are lifts from the ticket hall to the subway.
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Post by Dstock7080 on Sept 6, 2024 6:40:58 GMT
Uxbridge
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Post by Chris M on Sept 6, 2024 11:08:13 GMT
Uxbridge is indeed devoid of lifts and escalators. While the main entrance is essentially level, the side entrance from the bus station offers a choice of steps or a ramp.
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Post by jimbo on Sept 6, 2024 13:04:46 GMT
..... At Romford, all platforms can be accessed from the subway via steps or ramps but accessing the ticket hall from the subway requires steps or lifts. There is a ramp from the street to the subway, bypassing the ticket hall, but I'm not sure whether this is still open now there are lifts from the ticket hall to the subway. The ramp seems to be permanently closed at Romford with the new access arrangements.
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Post by Chris M on Sept 6, 2024 21:46:38 GMT
Also missing from the above lists: Euston LO is also completely step free from street to ticket hall and platform, but the facilities on the mezzanine level require lifts and the only step-free access at the tube station is same-direction interchange between the Victoria Line and the Northern line Bank branch.
New Cross has level access to the LO platform (D) and adjacent NR platform C when the ticket office is open and ramped and stepped access when it is closed. Access to platforms A and B is via stairs or lifts.
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Post by croxleyn on Sept 7, 2024 9:40:49 GMT
Chalfont and Latimer have flat access both sides, but it's a 200+metre walk along the pavement and under the bridge if you're not being picked up by car. But there may be time restrictions for the rear entrance...
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Post by andypurk on Sept 8, 2024 2:09:14 GMT
Also missing from the above lists: Euston LO is also completely step free from street to ticket hall and platform, but the facilities on the mezzanine level require lifts and the only step-free access at the tube station is same-direction interchange between the Victoria Line and the Northern line Bank branch. New Cross has level access to the LO platform (D) and adjacent NR platform C when the ticket office is open and ramped and stepped access when it is closed. Access to platforms A and B is via stairs or lifts. South Kenton (Bakerloo / LO) is step free to the platform with access via a ramp up from the subway. Carpenders Park (LO) is a similar layout, but with a slope/steps down to the subway on the west side as well.
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Post by hummusn on Sept 8, 2024 9:32:38 GMT
A few stations on the northern end of the Metropolitan Line are like that: Chorleywood, Chalfont and Latimer, Chesham, and maybe Rickmansworth too.
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vincenture
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Post by vincenture on Sept 11, 2024 16:41:29 GMT
I’ll chip in West finchley perhaps?
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Post by croxleyn on Sept 11, 2024 20:31:50 GMT
Croxley could easily have step free on the up platform: the locked gate to the car park has been there for decades (the peak hours ticket inspector's booth I think is still there, or not overly long removed), and could suffice with an Oyster reader and camera: I seem to frequently find the main gate line locked open, presumably for the human presence PNB (sorry, I don't know what their job title is). And down platform wheelchair users could continue to Watford, and back to Croxley for the car park gate. I gather this process is used elsewhere.
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Post by Chris M on Sept 11, 2024 20:41:12 GMT
I’ll chip in West finchley perhaps? West Finchley has completely step-free access to the northbound platform (steepish ramp from street to ticket hall, shallow ramp to platform) but the only access to the southbound platform is via the step only footbridge. Although a strip of land exists that appears from satellite view to offer the easy possibility of step-free access to the southbound platform from Wentworth Road (and thus access between the platforms via the nearby road bridge) Google street view from 2022 shows this to be in private ownership.
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Post by starlight73 on Sept 12, 2024 9:05:04 GMT
Croxley could easily have step free on the up platform: the locked gate to the car park has been there for decades I think an issue is that Croxley's car park entrance is in an annoyingly inconvenient place – Google street view link. It's well past the Watford end of the platform
It is about 2.5 platform lengths along the street from the main Croxley station entrance, meaning anyone who needed that entrance and is not using the car park would need to go on a detour of 5 platform lengths to get to the platform. Assuming the platform is 134m, roughly the length of an S8 stock, that would make it a 670m detour. (Wheeling or walking this distance can be hard)
This is presumably not acceptable step-free access to TfL, otherwise they would be looking at it. If that's the case, then any step-free plans for Croxley would probably need a lift near the station entrance...
but yes, I agree with you and wish for more step-free access!
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Post by revupminster on Sept 12, 2024 10:07:48 GMT
Upton Park District eastbound. There used to be a door on the platform to a slight slope that would lead to Harold Road. Seems to be a playground there now but there still seems a path round it from google earth.
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Post by Chris L on Sept 12, 2024 15:47:56 GMT
Croxley could easily have step free on the up platform: the locked gate to the car park has been there for decades I think an issue is that Croxley's car park entrance is in an annoyingly inconvenient place – Google street view link. It's well past the Watford end of the platform
It is about 2.5 platform lengths along the street from the main Croxley station entrance, meaning anyone who needed that entrance and is not using the car park would need to go on a detour of 5 platform lengths to get to the platform. Assuming the platform is 134m, roughly the length of an S8 stock, that would make it a 670m detour. (Wheeling or walking this distance can be hard)
This is presumably not acceptable step-free access to TfL, otherwise they would be looking at it. If that's the case, then any step-free plans for Croxley would probably need a lift near the station entrance...
but yes, I agree with you and wish for more step-free access! There is very little point in having step free access on the up platform if there isn't step free access/egress on the other platform.
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Post by t697 on Sept 12, 2024 16:36:09 GMT
Generally I'd agree. With Croxley there'd be the option to do a quick (ish) Watford and back to exit from the Up platform I suppose.
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Post by d7666 on Sept 12, 2024 20:26:59 GMT
Croxley could easily have step free on the up platform: the locked gate to the car park has been there for decades I think an issue is that Croxley's car park entrance is in an annoyingly inconvenient place – Google street view link. It's well past the Watford end of the platform It is about 2.5 platform lengths along the street from the main Croxley station entrance, meaning anyone who needed that entrance and is not using the car park would need to go on a detour of 5 platform lengths to get to the platform. Assuming the platform is 134m, roughly the length of an S8 stock, that would make it a 670m detour. (Wheeling or walking this distance can be hard)
This is presumably not acceptable step-free access to TfL, otherwise they would be looking at it. If that's the case, then any step-free plans for Croxley would probably need a lift near the station entrance...
but yes, I agree with you and wish for more step-free access! I kind of see where you are coming from, but if car park to platform is judged to be part of step free station criteria, all those stations that have no car park at all are so debarred from being classed as step free since anyone could then argue to include the nearest public non-station car park - and in central-er zone-s at least there must be precious few such car parks, never mind those that do that are of step free. I understand the specific issue at Croxley, and it no doubt applies at other locations, but really to count step free access from car parks as counting is going - excuse the pun - one step too far. Not saying no step free access from a car park to a station is unimportant, just that trying to include it in step free station is not right.
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Post by Chris M on Sept 13, 2024 3:23:28 GMT
It depends on where the car park is in relation to the station and street. At West Croydon the step-free access is via the car park, but this adds only about 20-30 metres to the journey to the street vs the stairs to the main entrance. That's much shorter than the extra distance you walk to use the step-free route at some stations (Northern to Victoria interchange at King's Cross and Jubilee line to exit at Green Park are particularly extreme examples).
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Post by croxleyn on Sept 13, 2024 18:29:02 GMT
Walking past the Croxley car park entrance, as many others do, I would certainly use the car park route + gate. I know many wheelchair users, being involved with a Ricky Disabled sailing club, and with the exception of a few local users, all arrive in adapted cars/vans. And a facility even as suggested would suck in users from over a much larger area if the only one available.
Many of the ageing residents would appreciate lifts, but one has to be realistic with the budgeting problems. If there's a mum struggling up, I'll help, buggy preferably without child (especially visiting grandson)!
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vincenture
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Post by vincenture on Sept 14, 2024 8:14:45 GMT
I’ll chip in West finchley perhaps? West Finchley has completely step-free access to the northbound platform (steepish ramp from street to ticket hall, shallow ramp to platform) but the only access to the southbound platform is via the step only footbridge. Although a strip of land exists that appears from satellite view to offer the easy possibility of step-free access to the southbound platform from Wentworth Road (and thus access between the platforms via the nearby road bridge) Google street view from 2022 shows this to be in private ownership. Ah that’s unfortunate. I thought it was access for all, sad
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vincenture
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Post by vincenture on Sept 14, 2024 8:16:06 GMT
Croxley could easily have step free on the up platform: the locked gate to the car park has been there for decades (the peak hours ticket inspector's booth I think is still there, or not overly long removed), and could suffice with an Oyster reader and camera: I seem to frequently find the main gate line locked open, presumably for the human presence PNB (sorry, I don't know what their job title is). And down platform wheelchair users could continue to Watford, and back to Croxley for the car park gate. I gather this process is used elsewhere. Technically this is under the step-free development thread, because right now they are conducting feasibility studies for step-free access there
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Post by class411 on Sept 15, 2024 8:24:13 GMT
Kew Gardens has a flight of about 4 or 5 steps from the street to the southbound/westbound platform with an adjacent ramp. The subway is step-free but the gradient is quite steep iirc. The footbridge has steps. Which subway is this? Leaving the westbound platform, you descend the steps you mention, turn left, and there is a subway, but (unless I'm losing my mind) it certainly has steps, at both ends. You'd need a hell of a long ramp to descend that far without giving the safety elf conniptions.
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Post by Chris M on Sept 15, 2024 11:28:38 GMT
hmm, that means I have a photo of a station subway (taken July 2013) labelled as Kew Gardens that's actually somewhere else. It's been a long time since I've needed to change platforms there, the last couple of occasions I've been there walked to/from other stations.
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Post by gantshill on Sept 15, 2024 18:37:42 GMT
hmm, that means I have a photo of a station subway (taken July 2013) labelled as Kew Gardens that's actually somewhere else. It's been a long time since I've needed to change platforms there, the last couple of occasions I've been there walked to/from other stations. I like the idea of a quiz where even the quiz master is not sure of the right answer!
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