Transport for London (TfL) has been accused of deprioritising commuter stations in its drive to make half the network accessible by 2030.
Currently 94 of 272 Tube stations have step-free access, with around 40 more currently undergoing feasibility studies or where design work is underway. However, Liberal Democrat politicians in outer London have now demanded the network “accelerates” the pace at which such studies are commissioned for stations which are technically outside of the capital but under TfL control.
In a letter to TfL Commissioner Andy Lord and Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, the signatories – which include London Assembly Member Gareth Roberts, Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor and Leader of Three Rivers Council Stephen Giles-Medhurst – said there are “inconsistencies” in where assessments care carried out.
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They said stations affected include Bushey, Moor Park, Carpenders Park, Croxley, Rickmansworth, Watford High Street and Chorleywood, which are all either on the Metropolitan or (Overground) Lioness Line.
Of the stations listed, only Croxley was approved for step-free infrastructure after a study carried out in 2024 recommended two lifts be installed. However, this has yet to be actioned.
Rickmansworth and Moor Park, meanwhile, were rejected from the scheme after being assessed. The rest have yet to be looked at.
“Given TfL’s stated commitments to accessibility, equality of opportunity and inclusive transport, the absence of even preliminary studies at certain stations is a cause for concern,” they wrote.
“We therefore respectfully ask that you consider accelerating the pace at which feasibility studies are commissioned and carried out for stations under TfL control that are not currently step-free. Addressing these accessibility gaps would represent a meaningful step towards a more inclusive transport network.”
Cllr Callum Robertson, who represents Tudor Ward on Watford Borough Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “On the rare occasions these studies are carried out, not much is done after that. For Croxley, TfL have sat on the results for two years.
“TfL have a legal duty to make public places accessible. If you have a Duty of Care to make stations accessible, have the plans to do so but do nothing, that’s a dereliction of duty.
“These stations aren’t within Greater London but are run by a body only accountable to voters in Greater London. How can our voters who want good public transport hold TfL to account?
“People are being penalised for going to London and contributing to the city’s economy. They pay artificially inflated prices to travel in.
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“Labour and Sadiq Khan don’t give a damn about these commuters. They are being penalised because TfL don’t have a coherent policy on step-free stations.”
A TfL spokesperson said: “Making more Tube stations step-free is a major part of our work to make the transport network more accessible.
“This work always starts with assessing stations to determine if step-free work is feasible and we will continue to identify stations across the Tube network to carry out these assessments.”
