Boris Johnson blocks wheelchair access

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Apologies for being M25-centric, but concealed in London mayor Boris Johnson's plans for getting people off the capital's transport system was an item that has almost gone unnoticed.

Johnson has decided to scrap plans to install step-free access at six Tube stations. In other words, wheelchair access.

The item is buried three-quarters of the way through this story in the Evening Standard, which centres on the fare and congestion charge increases.

Although some station improvements have been delayed in the mayor's blueprint for failure, they have at least been given a date for their resumption.

Not so "step-free" access. That's it. Gone.

London Underground has a poor record on wheelchair access - partly due to the age of the system - but the Jubilee Line extension (when it works) and some other stations do have this facility.

It is a network that must be expanded if London is to see itself as a modern city with modern attitudes.

I do hope disability groups can lobby Johnson to change his mind on this at least. 

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This is bad news. Is there going to be some kind of campaign from user groups?

There are many workers and commuters who are wheelchair users - how is their working life going to improve? Also, if wheelchair users are to be part of the London economy (as many want to be) how is this going to happen?

Susan at Wandsworth Care Alliance

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