Transport campaigners have welcomed a commitment from Mayor Boris Johnson and the Department for Transport to ensure all Crossrail stations offer step free access.
Of the 40 planned Crossrail stations, eight are already fully accessible with another 25 being upgraded or newly built to provide step free access.
On Tuesday the Mayor and DfT published “workable solutions” which would ensure the remaining seven stations – Seven Kings, Maryland, Manor Park, Hanwell, Iver, Taplow and Langley – are step free.
Publishing the proposals, Mayor Johnson said: “London now has one of the most accessible public transport networks in the world, with further improvements underway at stations, bus stops and on our trains.
“It is therefore only right that Crossrail is also part of that accessible future. This report sets out workable solutions for step-free access at all Crossrail stations and I will continue working alongside the DfT and TfL to help deliver that.”
Transport Minister Stephen Hammond added: “World class transport networks are a vital part in the national economic plan but they have to be accessible to all.
“This is why everyone in the Crossrail family supports the aim of making all of the route accessible. The publication of this study is a step in the right direction.”
The Mayor and DfT’s plans were welcomed by Lianna Etkind, spokesperson for Transport for All, who said: “A fully stepfree Crossrail would be transformative for disabled and older Londoners, opening up work opportunities and enabling us to get out and enjoy all that the capital has to offer.
“We urge DfT and TfL to swiftly secure the funding to ensure Crossrail becomes an inclusive rail line that Londoners can be proud of.”
