To be appalled at the lack of access for wheelchairs & prams

[Bowejangles]

Travelling across London today with DS 7mo in his pram, arrived at London bridge to find there's no lifts down to the underground available, only a shit load of escalators then some stairs after that.

Had to carry an excitable and very wriggly baby down the moving escalators in my arms. Escalators were heaving with people rushing past, bumping into us. Nervous is an understatement, it was downright dangerous.

Aibu to think this is ridiculously unsafe and not acceptable for one of the busiest stations in london?

More over, how the hell are people in wheelchairs supposed to use the underground?

There are lifts, use them all the time. Can’t get worked up about buggy access, travel around london with a pram all the time, just use one that folds quickly/a sling/get on and off at different stops that have lifts/use the escalator. Or walk some parts, use the bus, etc. It’s not rocket science. Never had any problems. Wheelchair users are a different matter, they can’t do those things. I don’t think it’s ‘disgraceful’ though, that’s just the structure and building of the tube, it’s not like they’re just being difficult, it’s simply not possible in many stations and takes a lot of time in others. Other places that choose to do it have no excuse.

Wheelchair users are a different matter, they can’t do those things. I don’t think it’s ‘disgraceful’ though, that’s just the structure and building of the tube, it’s not like they’re just being difficult, it’s simply not possible in many stations and takes a lot of time in others.

All true. But not applicable to anything built in - say - the last 10 years ? And yet ....

I also think most disabled facilities are designed considering an adult, wheelchair user who can self propell and can transfer out of their seat with no help needed. Realistically that makes up just a small amount of the disabled population.

I guess to consider the real complexity would be too much of a hassle! There again sometimes even then it’s not possible due to conflicting needs - a lot of places are now using textured surfaces in order to help those who are visually impaired, however for my dad who is a wheelchair user with a catheter then that can be rather painful to cross!

I also think most disabled facilities are designed considering an adult, wheelchair user who can self propell and can transfer out of their seat with no help needed. Realistically that makes up just a small amount of the disabled population.

Actually most disabled facilities are designed by able bodied people who haven't a fucking clue. As we found out when DS was born, and all the showers were inaccessible (this is despite DW being patronisingly told "it'll be sorted" when she pointed it out).

This is after a £10,000,000 refit of the hospital in 1995-6. In the end I had to carry DW into the regular shower, and get the blood off that way. Then we went home, having to leave DS in neonatal, as there were no adapted rooms for mothers in wheelchairs.

Nothing I have seen in the 22 years since has made me things things have improved. Unless pregnant disabled women aren't offered a termination as SOP these days ?

At least if you have a kid you have a choice about how to transport them in inconvenient situations (like no lifts), and you can almost always co opt a helpful stranger to assist with carrying the pram on stairs if needs be.

Wheelchair users do not have this option though, and this is why I think the access needs to be vastly improved.

Incidentally I went by bus round London when I had a pram with me. I suspect many wheelchair users opt to do the same.

Incidentally I went by bus round London when I had a pram with me. I suspect many wheelchair users opt to do the same.

"opt" suggests a choice from many ...

That's if there's space free when the bus pulls up ....

The Citymapper app now does step-free routing, which also includes showing lifts and accessible entrances to stations.