TfL’s recent consultation on shaping the future of step-free access which commenced on 2 November 2021 does not set out details of the number of further step free access schemes that are planned. Do you accept that any consultation should be explicit over TfL’s budget and future plans for increasing the number of step free access schemes and addressing whether or not you plan to meet the commitment in your Transport Strategy to ensure 40% of the Tube network is step free by 2022?

This consultation offers people a genuine opportunity to shape the future of the step-free access network before any plans have been made or targets set. This means that Transport for London (TfL) can incorporate the views of disabled people from the very outset of future step-free access works once funding becomes available.

There is explicit reference to the funding situation on the home page of the consultation website: ‘While we don’t currently have funding to deliver more step-free stations beyond our existing programme, this consultation will help us take action to meet London’s needs as soon as funding becomes available.’

With regard to making 40 per cent of the Tube network step-free by 2022, funding pressures meant that Transport for London (TfL) subsequently revised its target to make 38 per cent of the Tube network step-free by 2024, rather than the original target of 40 per cent by 2022.

Following the huge impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on TfL’s finances and the uncertainty surrounding a long-term funding agreement from the Government, TfL has had to reassess the scope of a number of programmes, including accessibility. TfL’s current plans will make around 34 per cent of the network step-free by the end of 2022.