Step-free station is years away

By David Tupman
Tube users will have to wait until at least 2013 for step-free access to East Finchley station, according to London Underground, and that would only be scheduled if a positive decision were made now in 2008.

Despite a recent large investment in the Northern Line under the controversial Private Finance Initiative, no lift was incorporated in the revamped station.

Vigorous representations have been made to local political figures and to Transport for London about the difficulties faced by passengers with mobility problems or with heavy luggage or pushchairs in negotiating the 30 steps to the station platform. Even men delivering supplies to the staff quarters above the tracks risk injury.

Brian Coleman, GLA assembly member for Barnet, has taken up the issue of access on behalf of local resident Annette Laycock, of Elmhurst Avenue, a keen reader of The Archer. Not content with limp replies from the transport authority’s customer relations people, Cllr Coleman went straight to the tube’s managing director Tim O’Toole.

In his reply Tim O’Toole points to planning difficulties with East Finchley station’s listed building status and to current funding priorities, though he highlights the fact that Finchley Central will have a lift by the summer of 2008.

Add 40 minutes to your journey 
Obviously unaware of local travel congestion, Mr O’Toole suggests: “Finchley Central is nearby and is served by regular bus services from East Finchley and the High Street”.

Yes, the message from the overlord of the Underground is that if you want step-free access to the tube, board the 143 bus at East Finchley station, which runs every 12 minutes, and alight at Finchley Central, a journey taking up to 30 minutes.

The message for readers of The Archer is clear: get active and tell London Underground what you really think.

 
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