www.lesswrong.com/posts/5AQBNwDoKW5YXDbvc/pareto-improvements-are-rarer-than-the...
1 correction found
Neither of the platforms currently in use for that line is accessible
This overstates the accessibility problem: at least one of Liverpool Street's in-use sub-surface platforms was already step-free accessible.
Full reasoning
Official London transport sources contradict the claim that neither active platform was accessible.
- A London Assembly accessibility report on Liverpool Street said that, while the station had major accessibility problems, "you can only get to the east bound Hammersmith and City line and Circle line platform by a ramp". That means one of the platforms in use was accessible, even if the other was not.
- A City Hall answer on disabled access also listed Liverpool Street among stations with level access on Metropolitan line platforms.
- TfL's own station information likewise directs passengers to take a Metropolitan line eastbound train (platform 1) on a step-free route, and service alerts describe loss of access to the eastbound Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines when a lift fails—again implying that eastbound access normally exists.
So the absolute statement that neither platform in use was accessible is not accurate. A more accurate description would be that accessibility was partial/one-directional, not absent on both platforms.
3 sources
- Accessible transport report final
There is step-free access from street to the rail station and to the Tube ticket office but you can only get to the east bound Hammersmith and City line and Circle line platform by a ramp.
- Disabled Access to Underground stations
Liverpool Street* ... These stations have level access on Metropolitan line platforms for the new S stock trains...
- Tube, Overground, Elizabeth line, DLR & Tram status updates - Transport for London
No step free access between the National Rail concourse and the eastbound Circle, Hamm & City and Metropolitan lines due to a faulty lift... Step-free routes from Liverpool Street ... take a Metropolitan line eastbound train (platform 1) to Aldgate.