Elizabeth Line Brings Heathrow Closer For Wheelchair Users
- Written by George Sensalis
The Elizabeth line is now open and it has taken into account the needs of those with disabilities. The newly opened train service makes Heathrow airport easier to reach for wheelchair users.
Accessibility to public transport is essential for wheelchair users who privilege trains over private transport to go to Heathrow airport. The Elizabeth Line was designed from the very beginning with accessibility in mind. All Elizabeth Line stations will be fully accessible and step-free from street to platform.
These stations have level access from platform to trains:
- Paddington
- Bond Street (opening later in 2022)
- Tottenham Court Road
- Farringdon
- Liverpool Street
- Whitechapel
- Canary Wharf
- Custom House
- Woolwich
- Heathrow stations
If you are using carriage 5, Custom House station has step-free access from street to train. Manual boarding ramps can also be used if necessary.
At stations on the line, including Abbey Wood Station, staff will deploy a manual boarding ramp between the platform and the train. You do not need to book this service in advance.
If you need to board a train without any steps, it is best to board at carriage 5 where there are guaranteed wheelchair spaces. Manual boarding ramps are also provided at this location and can be used regardless of whether you need step-free access or not. Carriage 5 of all trains on the Elizabeth line usually stops at the middle of the platform and can be found by looking for blue wheelchair signs on the train doors, blue wheelchair stickers on the floor of the platform, outside carriage 5, and blue wheelchair signs on the wall of the platform.
All Elizabeth Line trains feature four wheelchair spaces in proximity to the doors and are separated from other wheelchair spaces for those who need it in Carriage 5.
An emergency alarm button is located at every designated wheelchair space on the trains. In the case of an emergency, this button can be used to connect you with the driver of the train in order to provide assistance as quickly as possible.
