Forum Topic

Where you might drop off would be dependent on from which direction you are approaching but I accept that in a lot of cases this is going to lead to an extra walk of over 100 metres. However, your case, in which you would require assistance at one end of the journey and have someone available to give you similar assistance at the other end, is likely to be quite rare. In practice, the majority of people with disabilities would be able to walk or wheel this distance both at the beginning and end of their journeys as long as it was step free. One the decision was taken to remove the slip road at the front of the station, which it seems to me was done for perfectly sound safety reasons, this less than satisfactory outcome for people with disabilities is inevitable. I don't see how you can argue that queueing traffic outside the station wouldn't be an issue — the usage of Ealing Broadway is set to rise considerably and many of the people dropping off wouldn't be disabled. There is only room for three or four cars at the front so tailbacks would be inevitable. No one is pretending this new configuration isn't a big step backwards for disabled people in Ealing. The lack of option to drop off nearby reduces the benefit of step free access at the station significantly. However, most disabled people will use public transport or taxis and if it is absolutely impractical to get to a station without the use of a car there are other Elizabeth line stations a short drive away.


Gordon Southwell ● 1204d

When Villiers House was built it was lauded that Ealing Broadway station now had a drop off access for Taxis and those who could not walk easily. It was a first.However a bit flawed as the station had steps and no ramp for lift and the old District Line sation up the road a bit was far easier to access with very few steps.But it did have a pick up and drop off facility which by its cramped design for vehicles of the 1960s became too cramped by the 1980s with the arrival of much larger vans and cars.But for some years now plans have frozen out the kiss and ride drop off that is successful in places where car use is far greater than here.  Worst of all is the spiteful exclusion of access for those great many who are less mobile and articulate but not classed as disabled. ( Many are simply not classified that way as they do not claim benefits , but are, nonetheless, consequently ignored and factored out of planning.This has been pointed out and raised again, and again by various vested parties of residents and groups and ignored from Bassam Mahfouz to Mr Cole in Highways.Helped along by TfLs warped policies on trying to force walking and cycling but ignoring those who simply cannot for any reasonable distance.It's been messed with badly on two occasions now and bus arrangements have been disastrous. The 65 and One other route shared a lay over further back on the haven green side. The Peak services used to terminate at Argyle road.  Even after a duplicate route was introduced it remained so as to relieve Bus congestion at Haven Green.  Something that could still be a viable solution as the space at Scotch Common could also provide a charging point for buses and does not cause congestion.And as a bonus, residents would not have diesel engines, noise or fumes with electric buses.That would in one move ease use congestion by over 40% and keep movements fluid.Has this even been considered?Not even responded to. Not in 5 years of asking for a feasibility.  There councillors did not even believe buses ever terminated at Scotch Common/Argyle road and a TfL expert said it was "Impossible"Plenty of photographs even with longer buses using that area.Fact is the whole design is to serve a policy rather than address practicality and ease of use for ALL passengers and people.

Raymond Havelock ● 1204d