§ Mr. Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) if each station on the new Jubilee tube line is fully accessible to disabled people; [114353]
(2) what facilities exist at Westminster tube station for access without assistance to trains by wheelchair users. [114354]
§ Mr. HillLondon Transport's Unit for Disabled Passengers provides a comprehensive advice and information service for disabled travellers including a guide book entitled "Access to the Underground".
I can confirm that step free access has been provided from the street to Jubilee Line trains at all of the stations between Westminster and Stratford inclusive on the Extended Jubilee Line. (In addition, lift access has been provided to the East London Line at Canada Water, the 119W Northern Line at London Bridge and the District and Circle Lines at Westminster as part of the Jubilee Line Extension project).
Mobility impaired passengers can travel unassisted at Canada Water, Canary Wharf and North Greenwich stations. At Stratford, West Ham and Bermondsey and Southwark stations lifts can at present only be used by passengers accompanied by staff. Unfortunately the lifts at London Bridge and Waterloo are not yet in service and some at Westminster station are temporarily unserviceable. Detailed plans are in hand to bring these lifts into service.
On Westminster station specifically, once all lifts are back in service, wheelchair users will be able to access trains on the Jubilee line unaided. (Assistance will continue to be available to wheelchair users travelling on the District and Circle Line at Westminster station since there is no level access between train and platform on this line).