A major central
London
Tube station has become step-free thanks to a century-old feature – but a campaign group says it’s ‘four years’ too late.
Knightshridge, a Piccadilly line stop that sees close to 13 million passengers annually, has now turned into the 93rd tube station with step-free access.
With the addition of a new entry point and three elevators, travelers can now access the platforms from the street level at this station without needing escalators or staircases.
The secondary passageway through Hooper’s Court connects to three elevators designed for 17 people each, which were made feasible due to a pre-existing lift shaft constructed back in 1906.
The shaft was part of an area within the station that had not been utilized since 1934, following the closure and sealing of the old Bromton Road entrance.
Developers and TfL anticipated that the new lift would be operational in 2020, however, it faced delays due to ongoing construction activities.
Issues related to the power supply capacity and excessive heat generated by the elevator caused delays, pushing the 2023 launch date further back.
As part of the Mayor of London’s initiative, the step-free route is aimed at achieving 50 percent accessibility across the network’s 272 Tube stations by the year 2030.
Transport for London officials were unable to verify this information for me.
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Which stations will comprise this half? The decision on which stations become step-free can rely on funding availability, the necessary improvements required for each station, and the backing from the local authority.
Over one-third of the London Underground stations provide easy access without steps.
'I am committed to doing all I can to ensure our transportation system is as equitable and accessible as possible, allowing every resident of London to fully enjoy our great city,' stated the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s Chief Capital Officer, commented: “With the addition of elevators at Knightsbridge, we have made another key Zone 1 station accessible without steps, which will greatly assist millions of our patrons annually.”
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However, Transport for All, a campaign organization led by individuals with disabilities, urged TfL to 'speed things up'.
What London Underground stations will soon have level access?
Colindale (by Autumn 2025)
Leyton (Spring 2027)
Northolt (Summer 2026)
Alperton (on the Piccadilly line’s Uxbridge branch)
Arnos Grove (Piccadilly line)
Burnt Oak (Northern line – Edgware branch)
Eastcote (Vicarage Road and Piccadilly Line – Uxbridge Branch)
Finchley Road (serving the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines)
North Acton (Central line – westbound towards West Ruislip)
Rayners Lane (Vicarage Road and Piccadilly Line – Uxbridge Branch)
West Hampstead (Jubilee line)
White City (Central line)
'We all desire the liberty to travel, and the step-free accessibility at Knightsbridge will make London much more accessible for numerous individuals with disabilities,' the organization stated.
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.
‘This work is four years late – TfL must pick up the pace and learn from mistakes, because delays to these projects trap disabled people without transport options.
According to TfL, 13.2% of Londoners are disabled, and an estimated 1.3million journeys are made by riders with a disability every day.
More than 60 London Overground stations and all 41 Elizabeth line stations have step-free access.
Campaigners
say that train stations lack lifts and ramps
, making some parts of the
the city remains difficult to reach for the hundreds of thousands
.
But revamping the entire London Underground – a more than 160-year-old public transport network – depends a lot on TfL’s funding position and third-party funding, the authority said last year.
'Transport for All emphasized that step-free access is merely the beginning when it comes to making a place accessible.'
'77% of disabled individuals state that damaged and overcrowded sidewalks prevent them from traveling — they cannot access a step-free station if they can't reach it.'
‘We ask Londoners to keep pavements for pedestrians – free from bikes, boards and clutter, so everyone can get around easily.’
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