Harrow Chronicle: A visually and hearing impaired woman from Brent says it’s “vitally important” access is improved across the Tube network after two local stations were added to a list for potential improvements.

A visually and hearing impaired woman from Brent says it’s “vitally important” access is improved across the Tube network after two local stations were added to a list for potential improvements. Two Underground stations across Brent and Harrow are among five to have been recently prioritised for step-free access with feasibility works set to take place at the stations. Transport for London (TfL) announced earlier this week that Queensbury and Preston Road are among the latest to be looked at as part of a wider programme to improve the transport network for passengers with varying mobility needs. Currently 94 of the 272 London Underground stations have step-free access, with feasibility or design works already under way for a further 40 Tube stations across the capital. The latest stations to be selected for assessment were chosen from a long-list of 30 drawn up last year. Preston Road station in Brent and Queensbury station on the Brent and Harrow border have been shortlisted for assessment based on factors such as “customer benefits, deliverability, geographical spread and the local development and regeneration context”, according to TfL. Brent resident Charmaine Ashpole, who was left with a severe sight and hearing impairment after contracting meningitis in 2018, welcomed the news and told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Kingsbury station which I use has a lift and I find this very helpful especially if I’m tired and I might easily trip on the stairs. “Colindale station is being upgraded but it’s important this is done carefully as recently I found works at the station caused roadworks and disruption in the surrounding streets which were hard to navigate. “It’s vitally important that access is improved across the Tube network and London as a whole, so people with disabilities, wheelchair and cane users can more freely get around the city. If this is done well, it’s better for everyone.” Alongside Preston Road and Queensbury – which are on the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines respectively – Barkingside on the Central line, Brent Cross on the Edgware branch of the Northern line, and Totteridge and Whetstone on the High Barnet branch of the Northern line have been selected. The study will examine “the opportunities, options and constraints” for making the stations step-free. Brent Council leader Cllr Muhammed Butt described accessible transport as “a basic right” rather than a luxury and suggested too many residents “have been locked out of opportunities” due to the difficulty accessing much of the Underground network. He added: “That’s why we will keep working with TfL and the Mayor of London to go further and faster on step-free access, so every community in Brent can benefit from a transport network that is truly inclusive.” The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has welcomed the news and described every improvement to transport accessibility as “a small step in the right direction” but said more still needs to be done. RNIB’s policy lead for strategy and public affairs, Erik Matthies, told the LDRS: “Currently only 94 out of 242 stations have step-free access and although we know TfL is working to increase that number, it needs to happen as quickly as possible. Blind and partially sighted travellers frequently tell us of their difficulties navigating stairs and escalators, and their challenges with depth perception or when in busy crowds. “We know that many people with sight loss don’t travel on the Underground alone and only use it when they can be accompanied by friends or family. Improvements in step-free access are vital to breaking down these barriers to getting around independently.” The latest feasibility studies will help inform future decisions on whether and how step-free access can be delivered as part of the Mayor’s goal for 50 per cent of all Tube stations to be step-free by 2030. In December last year, Colindale became the most recent addition to the step-free network – bringing the total up to 94. Work to make Northolt station step-free is due to be completed this summer and Leyton station is scheduled to become step-free in spring of next year. However, progress on delivering step-free access to these five new stations will depend on “deliverability and TfL’s future funding system”, the transport operator has said. Brent Council has said it will continue to work closely with TfL “to ensure that the case for further accessibility improvements in the borough remains strong”. TfL’s chief customer and strategy officer Alex Williams said: “Making more Tube stations step-free is a major part of our work to make the transport network more accessible. We have been working at pace to deliver the Mayor’s ambitious target for 50 per cent of the Tube network to be step-free. “This work always starts with conducting feasibility studies at stations to assess their suitability, so putting five additional stations under the spotlight is another important step towards this goal.”