Snowball Underground Map - disabled access

[fandroid]

Time Out has publicised the Snowball app. It shows the connectivity available for wheelchair users on the Underground.

It's a stark reminder of how poor it can be for wheelchair users, especially in Central London. The Bakerloo has no access/egress more central than Paddington. The old Circle line has just a few accessible stations, despite its really good positioning for getting people around and between other lines. Oxford Circus, centrally positioned with 3 lines, has nothing. Waterloo has almost nothing on the Northern and Bakerloo lines. I'm unsure about the Waterloo and City.

I know there has been steady efforts by the Mayor and TfL but the pace has been snail-like. It's not just wheelchair users who benefit from step-free access, parents with young children and everyone with heavy bags make a lot of use of the few lifts that there are.

Which stations would forum users suggest as giving the highest immediate benefit if made step-free? Forget the cost and practicalities for now! I would start with Oxford Circus and then move on to every interchange station on the old Circle.

 

[The exile]

I know there has been steady efforts by the Mayor and TfL but the pace has been snail-like.

When you look at the higgeldy-piggeldy nature of many of the interchange stations it becomes clear that full accessibility effectively means starting again. Budget for that would probably make HS2 look cheap. The lift down from the surface is probably the easy bit, so the snail’s pace is hardly surprising.

 

[Mikey C]

Oxford Circus (including its platforms) needs a complete rebuild as it's much too small now, but that would be horrendously expensive, and very disruptive on the surface.

 

[The exile]

Oxford Circus (including its platforms) needs a complete rebuild as it's much too small now, but that would be horrendously expensive, and very disruptive on the surface.

Imagine it would be an interesting “challenge” to completely gut and rebuild any of the major central interchanges while maintaining through (non-stopping) services.

 

[Mikey C]

Imagine it would be an interesting “challenge” to completely gut and rebuild any of the major central interchanges while maintaining through (non-stopping) services.

When you look at the Bank rebuild, you also need surface access as well, which will be really hard in a sensitive part of London, unless there's a major rebuild going on with one of the nearby Oxford Street buildings.

 

[The exile]

When you look at the Bank rebuild, you also need surface access as well, which will be really hard in a sensitive part of London, unless there's a major rebuild going on with one of the nearby Oxford Street buildings.

The cheapest but probably most controversial solution would be to use Hanover Square or Cavendish Square Gardens - assuming what’s needed is surface access for plant etc.

 

[Mojo]

In terms of Oxford Circus, I wonder if somewhere like Embankment would offer up more journey opportunities?

For customers on the Central line, stations either side (Bond St and TCR) are already step free, with access to the northbound Bakerloo available via cross platform interchange at Baker Street from the Jubilee. The Victoria line is a bit of a pain, but can be reached via Green Park.

One thing I’ve always wondered/worried about is are we trying to make the most number of stations step free by using the limited pot of money at the low hanging fruit locations, so politicians can say for example they have helped deliver 50% of stations step free, or should we be attempting to use that limited pot of money to make a smaller number of stations step free but filling in gaps?

I am also curious about the standards that apply, for example Ickenham station which has had
Step free access granted recently involved lifting in a massive footbridge and elevated walkway, when it seems to me as an outsider they could easily have fitted ramps down from ticket hall to platform level, at no doubt a much lower cost and without the problems that arise from mechanical faults!

 

[The exile]

Step free access granted recently involved lifting in a massive footbridge and elevated walkway, when it seems to me as an outsider they could easily have fitted ramps down from ticket hall to platform level, at no doubt a much lower cost and without the problems that arise from mechanical faults!

In general, ramps gave fallen out of favour - at least for the sort of height differential of a footbridge.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Oct 2025 ==

One thing I’ve always wondered/worried about is are we trying to make the most number of stations step free by using the limited pot of money at the low hanging fruit locations, so politicians can say for example they have helped deliver 50% of stations step free, or should we be attempting to use that limited pot of money to make a smaller number of stations step free but filling in gaps?

The irony is of course that, everything else being equal, the easiest stations to make accessible are the most minor ones (single platforms so all you need is a single accessible route to the outside world).

 

[Mikey C]

The irony is of course that, everything else being equal, the easiest stations to make accessible are the most minor ones (single platforms so all you need is a single accessible route to the outside world).

No surprise really, as the stations outside the centre are nearly all on the surface, and so way easier and cheaper to make step free. But far less useful than the central London ones like Oxford Circus.

Having all the stations in the suburbs made step free might be great for the step free percentages, but wouldn't be especially useful, as in outer London road alternatives are attractive options.

 

[The exile]

No surprise really, as the stations outside the centre are nearly all on the surface, and so way easier and cheaper to make step free. But far less useful than the central London ones like Oxford Circus.

Having all the stations in the suburbs made step free might be great for the step free percentages, but wouldn't be especially useful, as in outer London road alternatives are attractive options.

There has to be a worthwhile number of accessible destinations before the cost and disruption of rebuilding one of the major interchanges can be justified We have almost certainly reached that point now, however, but will have to convince the bean counters as the initial @return” will be minimal - until several other key nodes have been done as well.

 

[stuu]

I would have thought the main railway termini would be the most useful - Waterloo and Euston being the least accessible

 

[The exile]

I would have thought the main railway termini would be the most useful - Waterloo and Euston being the least accessible

With the chance to do a proper job at Euston (incorporating Euston Square) in connection with HS2 probably now having been lost

 

[Tetchytyke]

Oxford Circus (including its platforms) needs a complete rebuild as it's much too small now, but that would be horrendously expensive, and very disruptive on the surface.

Having all the stations in the suburbs made step free might be great for the step free percentages, but wouldn't be especially useful, as in outer London road alternatives are attractive options.

I disagree. I think it’s the opposite. The central stations are all very close to each other and there are options. Out in the suburbs you don’t have the same options- the stations are further apart and the buses are less frequent.

You need to focus on the suburban stations and get them done before we need any more major work in zone 1.

You mention Oxford Circus. Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road are close enough by, it’s only about 500m from Oxford Circus to either station. Crossrail’s building work has really opened out zone 1 for step free access.

 

[Mikey C]

I disagree. I think it’s the opposite. The central stations are all very close to each other and there are options. Out in the suburbs you don’t have the same options- the stations are further apart and the buses are less frequent.

You need to focus on the suburban stations and get them done before we need any more major work in zone 1.

You mention Oxford Circus. Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road are close enough by, it’s only about 500m from Oxford Circus to either station. Crossrail’s building work has really opened out zone 1 for step free access.

Buses are far more likely to serve where people live though. Plus driving is a realistic option in the suburbs, with most places having disabled parking spaces.

Indeed I'm struggling to remember EVER seeing a wheelchair on the tube or Liz Line, whereas the wheelchair ramps on buses get used far more often.

 

[Mattplans]

Indeed I'm struggling to remember EVER seeing a wheelchair on the tube or Liz Line, whereas the wheelchair ramps on buses get used far more often.

You must not use it that often then. At the COS stations, some passengers are even given a complementary wheelchair that has the Elizabeth Line moquette. It's always nice seeing these passengers travel independently by boarding and alighting services without staff help and understanding how important step-free access is.

 

[Bayum]

Not just wheelchair users. I have to plan my way around places and add in time and rest (and pain relief) if I know a station is going to be problematic coming out of. Escalators are fine but for stations where there are no lifts/escalators from platform level to ticket hall, it’s absolutely a problem.
Depending on the day, pratting about having to find three different lifts to get to where you want to go can be taxing too!