London Tube/ Overground

[WhaleOfATale]

I know IABU to post here but looking for quick response so apologies in advance...

A family member has a trip planned and was planning to travel on the Overground from Highams Park to Hackney Downs. They are now unfortunately in a wheelchair (possibly a mobility scooter if things pan out) but we are struggling to find accessibility info for the stations.

Can anyone advise if both/ either stations are accessible by wheelchair/ scooter for this route (or where I can find this info). I have tried ringing station but no answer so I'm hoping Mumsnet's collective knowledge can assist!

I just checked the step free map: content.tfl.gov.uk/step-free-tube-guide-map.pdf

Looks like Highams Park is accessible but Hackney Downs isn’t.

Check tfl website it will have all the accessible stations. Literally type it into google

Hackney Downs is not, I have been there a couple of times.

Thanks for quick responses- I've had a look at the tfl map which confirms highams park is accessible but then the website for highams park says that platform 1 is Accessible and Platform 2 is not as there are 30-odd stairs to get to it so I don't know if one is out of date?

if the website is correct, I'm not sure which platform they need for their route (and it looks like their route wouldn't work anyway if Hackney Downs isn't accessible).

I didn't think it would be this hard, hopefully the wheelchair is a temporary thing but the preparation required for a simple trip is exhausting, how do disabled people copenon a day to day basis?!

Further question- does anyone know if the passage from Hackney Downs to Hackney Central is Accessible? I'm going to try and ring the stations again but on the off-chance anyone knows?

Would they qualify for Dial a Ride or Taxicard?

The tfl site has a whole section on transport accessibility: tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/

Hi OP, there's an underpass at Highams Park station, so your friend should be able to access either platform. They'll need the platform at the main entrance to get into London; coming back it'll be the underpass.

Accessibility aside, make sure the Overground is running/stopping at any particular station.

I didn't need it but recently at Highbury & Islington Tube I noticed the Overground wasn't running and there were announcements about replacement buses.

I hate travelling on the underground with DS in his mobility pushchair I've found it easier using the buses has most have a ramp for wheelchair users much easier than planning journey around stations that are Step free.

I used to live in Highams Park- no accessibility issues there, there’s an underpass or you can just cross at the level crossing if the barriers are up. Takes longer as you have to go round instead of using the footbridge but I’m guessing your relative is used to allowing extra time for that sort of thing?

There are steps if you want to leave the station at Hackney Downs, however you could use the accessible walkways (assuming the lifts are working) to Hackney Central overground and leave the station there. It’s a bit of a schlep, takes 5-10 minutes depending on how busy it is. Tell relative to get on the front carriage at HP if planning to do that so they’re right by the walkway entrance when they get off.

It is best to use buses for such a short distance - they are very good with wheelchairs.

Thank you so much for all the replies- I was totally overwhelmed having only visited London a few times and being useless with Route planning at the best of times! With so many limits (driving to outside the emission zone, parking, wheelchair access, young children, etc.) I didn't even know where to start so thank you for all the resources/ info.

I think we've got the route sorted on the Overground now and we have bus routes as a back up. There's a big group of us going so I think Overground is a better option than bus/ taxi in case there's limited spaces on the bus (and we're willing to take the extra time so that he can travel with us in wheelchair than have the group split in half) but it's good to have the bus route as back up in case of closures.