Disabled people still don’t have step-free access to Hackney Downs station six years after it was promised by the previous government.
Access which allows disabled passengers to travel independently, without worrying about escalators or stairs, was promised for the north-east London Overground station in 2019 by former Conservative prime minister Theresa May.
Disability access charity Euan’s Guide ambassador Tina Hodgkinson explained it exacerbates a feeling of being like Russian roulette when it comes to public transport, having experienced being left on a train in Edinburgh at the end of the line and being trapped in the bus doors because the driver hadn’t looked.
Social worker Hodgkinson said: “It was just awful because basically you’re sitting there on the train and you’re wondering if anyone’s ever going to come.
“And you just think, ‘do I try and get out myself?’.
“You feel emotionally exhausted, you feel physically exhausted.”
Roughly one in five of the UK population is disabled, yet statistics from Transport for London (TfL) show only 53% of London Overground stations and 34% of London Underground stations are fully accessible.
TfL’s ageing infrastructure means huge costs would be incurred in making the remaining old stations accessible, although the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme is funding lifts at Hackney Downs, with the project managed by Network Rail.
Hodgkinson, who became disabled eight years ago, believes transport access won’t be recognised for the disability community until something horrible happens to someone.
Due to lack of disability transport access, she will plan a journey and sometimes won’t be able to complete it either.
Last year, she travelled from King’s Cross to Euston, and claimed TfL staff at Euston said they wouldn’t pick her up as they weren’t going to help her get up on the lift.
Hodgkinson said: “Knowing that they did that to me, and I felt that was a blatant act of discrimination, I ended up crying.
“I’ve asked for passenger assistance, I’ve been pulled into the station where I’m due to get off, and there’s been no member of staff to meet me – and sometimes it’s the last destination.
“But I just sit in the train waiting, hoping someone will come, and eventually the cleaners come and I ask them to get me help.”
Hodgkinson expects to have the same conversation in five years time.
TfL road safety consultant Sarah Hope MBE insisted the age of the infrastructure should not be a barrier either.
Hope said: “Their excuse is that the stations are too old to put the lifts in, but where they don’t have lifts, they should provide something for people who can’t use the Underground.”
Politics student and amputee Pollyanna Hope added: “The fact it’s the oldest tube network in the world is not an excuse.
“We can do better.”
Alternative services are available for the disabled community accessing TfL services such Dial A Ride, which provides a taxi for commuters if there is no access to a ramp for a wheelchair user at a station.
However, users report that staff shortages mean people are often unable to access this service.
Sarah Hope said: “The amount of stations that you can’t see anybody working at them.
“People with disabilities or people who might need help, there is often nobody to ask”.
Hope also highlighted the issues for wheelchair users using buses.
She said: “If there’s no room on the bus, and you’re in a wheelchair, you will just get left behind.”
Wheelchair user Ben Spencer added: “If you’re going to say you’re going to do something and get the planning done, get ahead and do it.”
TfL’s director of public service planning Geoff Hobbs insisted the needs of disabled users at Hackney Downs had not been forgotten.
Hobbs said: “We remain committed to providing step-free access at Hackney Downs London Overground station and are doing everything we can to overcome a number of challenges we’ve faced with the project.
“These include issues surrounding land ownership and the rising costs of the project due to inflationary pressures.
“This project is being funded by the DfT’s Access for All Fund which is managed by Network Rail and we continue to work with both parties to reach an agreement on funding so works can commence as soon as possible.”
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We recognise the importance of accessibility for all passengers and are fully committed to delivering step-free access at Hackney Downs station.
“We are carefully assessing a range of potential options and their associated costs. This work is being undertaken in close partnership with TfL and Arriva Rail London.
“These include issues surrounding land ownership and the rising costs of the project due to inflationary pressures.”
A Transport for All spokesperson said: “Everyone needs to travel, but for thousands of disabled Londoners the lack of step-free access at Hackney Downs stops us being able to enjoy our city fully.
“Progress at the station has been unacceptably slow, and the Access for All funding programme has alarming underspends.
“Network Rail is now installing an oversight body to make improvements.
“We’re cautiously optimistic that this is a step in the right direction towards making Network Rail more accountable, but the proof is in the pudding.
“We’ll believe it’s working when everyone can use stations like Hackney Downs.”
Hackney Council were approached for comment.
Credit: Irid Escent, Flickr. Wikimedia Commons license
