News | TransportPlan to make 50 per cent of stations step-free brought forward by two years Off-limits: Half of Tube and rail stations will have lift access by 2018 (Picture: Rex)Joseph Watts16 June 2015Boris Johnson today said London is outstripping New York and Paris in providing disabled Tube access after a target to make half of stations “step-free” was brought forward by two years.It means 50 per cent of all Transport for London Underground and rail stations will have lift access by 2018.The Mayor also announced Brent Cross would be the first station to have access improved using a £76 million fund announced last year.Mr Johnson said: “London has one of the most accessible public transport networks of any major city, but while we may be ahead of Paris and New York there is much more to be done to enable more people to get around the capital more easily.”Read MoreBroken gate meant wheelchair users had to travel to next stop and back again to get out of Tube stationDisabled and parents with buggies stranded as Tube lift closures soarDisabled Tube passenger 'trapped' underground in three-hour ordealThe Mayor had pledged to make half of stations step-free by 2020, but having already hit 45 per cent this year the target was brought forward to 2018.In October Mr Johnson announced his £76 million step-free partnerships fund to pay for improved access with developers and other parties.The new lift at Brent Cross will cost £10 million, with the majority coming from developers.
