Mapping the Development of

Step-free Access Across

London’s Rail Network

Step-Free London

Mapping the Development of

Step-free Access Across

London’s Rail Network

Enjoying the Accessibility Boom While It Lasts

I’ve started writing this blog post on a ferry towards Bilbao, Spain. We will be on a much-needed holiday with family, as well as assessing the accessibility of even more Spanish cities. But looking back on the summer in London thus far, we have seen significant progress with regarding to step-free access schemes. As expected,… Continue reading Enjoying the Accessibility Boom While It Lasts

Spring Cleaning: New Map and New Journeys

Apologies for the long period since my last post. If you have been checking out the SfL Map recently, you may have noticed significant changes in its design. A small design change to better capture cross-platform interchanges and to fix the scaling of the c2c railway lines somehow snowballed into a massive redevelopment of every… Continue reading Spring Cleaning: New Map and New Journeys

Calm Before the Storm

Amid these uncertain times due to COVID-19, I thought I would do a small post highlighting some of the recent advances regarding accessibility. New step-free stations on the Crossrail route have now created a fully accessible (to platforms) corridor from Reading to the Greater London boundary. To compensate for the finished works, there have been… Continue reading Calm Before the Storm

Looking Towards 2020

After a long year of progress and delays, we are now nearing the end of 2019 and looking to 2020 for more advances in rail accessibility. As I mentioned in my previous post, the first ever Step Free Tube Challenge was completed on 3rd December. Following successful completion, there are plans to continue the tradition… Continue reading Looking Towards 2020

SfL Map Interactive Descriptions

I must again apologise for my long absence. With Stadler trains still waiting for passenger service and outer Crossrail stations still not finishing their step-free access works, this summer has been remarkably quiet so far. However, one thing I do want to highlight are the interactive features of my SfL map, which I have been… Continue reading SfL Map Interactive Descriptions

Expansions (Oyster and Access for All)

This week we have been very lucky to see two important railway developments. The first is London-specific and involves the expansion of the Oyster Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) Zone to Hertford North. The second, affecting the whole country, Is the announcement of the 73 railway station that will be made step-free during the new Control Period of… Continue reading Expansions (Oyster and Access for All)

Start of Control Period 6

In addition to April Fool’s Day and Transport Secretary Chris Grayling’s birthday (coincidence?), today also marks the start of Network Rail’s latest 5-year funding period, Control Period 6 (CP6). Investment during these periods typically include various types of projects, such as new stations, electrification schemes, step-free access works, and maintenance/renewal works. Access for All Obviously,… Continue reading Start of Control Period 6

Maps and Expansions!

These past few weeks have brought rare positive news for rail accessibility. From a new step-free station in East London to the first Oyster Zone expansion in 3 years, this is also a great opportunity to launch the new and interactive layout of the SfL Map. Forest Gate After countless delays, TfL Rail has gained… Continue reading Maps and Expansions!

PAYG Area in the South East

This post is a follow-up to one I did two months ago dealing with upcoming expansions to the Oyster Zone, which is Greater London’s pay-as-you-go (PAYG) area for integrated rail transport. Today, the Department for Transport have opened a consultation where they propose an incredible increase in this PAYG area, covering large portions of the… Continue reading PAYG Area in the South East

44% Accessible Victoria Line!

No Underground line has seen as many recent changes regarding step-free access as the Victoria line. Only a few years ago when I was first planning on moving to the UK, Vauxhall was about to become step-free. Since then, Victoria station became accessible, and now we celebrate Finsbury Park. With this, the Victoria line has… Continue reading 44% Accessible Victoria Line!