Thank you 'Transport for London', for enabling myself (powered-wheelchair user) to successfully use a variety of transport in the capital city. Wheelchair accessibility on Buses, check, Boats, check, Over-ground trains, check, Underground trains, problems.
As a resident of Kingston (not part of London Underground), I have readily accepted this, disregarding the problem. We are part of London (thankfully), and it is essential to be able to use something which is rare but everyone else takes for granted. I take the direct Over-ground train, from Kingston into Central London (Waterloo). Fortunately, London Waterloo is a station for the one 'accessible' London Underground rail line.
All is ok, I think. However, 'accessible', is a term with different meanings. Boris Johnson loves to paint over the cracks, promoting the tube system as 'accessible'. People believe, people trust. Hmmm....
It is 'accessible' for those who are wheeled by a carer, in a manual wheelchair. As the above graphic shows, ubiquitous accessibility is untrue. For those using powered-wheelchairs (like myself), trains dock at the station in an inaccessible position. Inaccessible, unless accompanied by someone helping the user 'past the gap'. It is too big a gap for a wheelchair to get past, alone.
Everyone is different. Wheelchairs are different, so there will always be a problem for some.
It hurts thinking that the general public are fooled so easily, and ready to accept this. OK, accessibility is a problem, but please do not pretend that it is a problem that you have solved.
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