The number of lift closures across the London Underground has soared by nearly 90% in a year, leaving some disabled Londoners suddenly “stranded”, the Liberal Democrats have said.
The total time that underground lifts were closed due to a lack of staffing in 2024 reached 6,197 hours (equivalent to 258 days). The figure has increased by 87% since 2023.
The Liberal Democrats have also found that the underground station with the highest incidents of closure last year was Wimbledon Park Station.
Paul Kohler, the MP for Wimbledon, has warned too many people are being “excluded” from the underground in London following these shocking figures.
Responding to the figures the Lib Dem MP added: “Across London, wheelchair users and others with accessibility needs are left stranded due to a sudden lift closure.
“This doesn’t just cause significant disruption to someone’s day but can also create an upsetting or distressing experience.
“We are supposed to have one of the best transport systems in the world yet in its current state, too many people are excluded from it altogether.”
Mr Kohler labelled the issue as “simply unacceptable” and has called on the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the Labour Government to “get to grips” with the crisis.
Earlier this year Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy raised concerns about the lift being out of service at nearby Walthamstow Central as well as warning of rush hour chaos at Blackhorse Road station since an escalator at the station could take six months in total to fix.
Transport for London announced in January that the escalators at Blackhorse Road station will not be repaired until late June, meaning passengers will have to walk down the long escalator to reach the Victoria Line or get the Tube from other nearby stations.
TfL previously apologised to customers and encouraged Londoners to travel at less busy times or find alternative routes.
In one incident last year, disabled content creator Jennie Berry said there had been no prior warning that the lifts were out of service at Dalston Junction station, forcing her to crawl out of the London Overground station.
