Don't axe Tube station, upgrade say museums

DIRECTORS of three leading museums have protested to Mayor Boris Johnson after plans to upgrade a Tube station were scaled back.

The Victoria and Albert, Natural History and Science museums have written to the Mayor after Transport for London scrapped a scheme to offer step-free access at South Kensington station.

The redevelopment of the station is part of a £30million plan to transform the museum district into a "shared" space for cars and pedestrians.

Initially TfL said it was "likely" a lift would be installed for wheelchair users and parents with prams but it has now said it would cost £50million and there is not enough money.

In their joint letter, the three museum directors - Mark Jones of the V&A, the Science Museum's Professor Chris Rapley, and Dr Michael Dixon at the Natural History Museum - said: "The present situation seems highly regrettable at a time when we need to show our best face to visitors in the run up to the Olympics." About 10 million people visit the museums every year, the vast majority using the Tube.

Today Mr Jones said: "It's an appalling shame that there will be no step-free access. It's inexplicable that this should not happen. We do as much as we can to make our museums accessible and we get people complaining about the Tube. This is a huge lost opportunity."

Merrick Cockell, Kensington and Chelsea council leader, said he thought step-free access was essential for the new-look station.

A TfL spokesman said 54 of all 270 Tube stations had step-free access and that this would rise to 68 stations by 2010 and 71 by 2012.

But he added: "The project to deliver step-free access at South Kensington was part of an unfunded commitment by the previous mayoral administration. London Underground has looked at a number of options including developer-led schemes which have been refused planning consent by the local borough."

The project to upgrade Exhibition Road and its surrounding area will see safety barriers, street signs and traffic lights removed so vehicles share space with pedestrians.