Around 30 protestors in support of the Access2Transport group stood outside Hillhead Subway for around two hours this afternoon.
Disability activists have staged a protest in Glasgow this afternoon, March 22, to call for more accessible stations on the city’s iconic Subway line. Around 30 protestors in support of Access2Transport stood outside Hillhead Subway for around two hours this afternoon.
Just two out of Glasgow’s 15 Subway stations are accessible – Govan and St Enoch – which are fitted with lifts for wheelchair users to get down to the platforms. Access2Transport, a local group advocating for better public transport options for disabled people and wheelchair users, is demanding change.
The protestors believe every station should be made accessible, branding Glasgow’s Subway a “disgrace” for it’s “unacceptable” lack of accessibility. The group’s protest staged on Sunday is the first of its organised actions to demand more accessibility on the Clockwork Orange, reports Glasgow Live.
In response to the protest, SPT says modernisation works are ongoing but that it is “fully aware of the challenges and restrictions” involved in updating the Victorian underground.
Announcing the protest on Instagram earlier this week, Access2Transport said: “We must show everyone (including and ESPECIALLY SPT) that inaccessibility is unacceptable. Show everyone that we know better.”
The group called on people to spread the word of the protest, adding: “You are not immune! Access aids everyone, let’s start this movement by showing that we are aware of the disgrace that is the Glasgow subway, and that we will NOT stop until everyone can use it. Public transport for all of the public now.”
An SPT spokesperson responded: “Glasgow Subway is the third oldest in the world and still operates and works within a Victorian tunnel system that is almost a 130 years old. It was a built on a very unique 4ft gauge and was, and remains, an engineering feat of the 19th century.
“It is now undergoing only it’s third major modernisation phase in its lifetime and we, more than ever, are fully aware of the challenges and restrictions it places on us as we endeavour to develop it as much as we can into a more modern 21st century transport system.
“The brief for modernisation agreed in 2010 was to overhaul the entire system with new ticketing, new trains, new signalling and communications and to refurbish all 15 stations on the network for a cost of £288million.
“As part of the refurbishment of our stations we looked at the possibility to introduce lift access at all stations on the network but it quickly became clear that where we have single, island platforms this is simply not possible.
“There are a number of requirements we must meet before we can add lifts to platforms. Most importantly, there must be a suitable location on the platform. This is not possible on any of our single ‘island’ platforms which is the case at nine of our fifteen stations.
“For our double or ‘flank’ platform stations, we need to be able to run a lift vertically from the concourse to each platform which must be structurally viable. This was shown to be possible at two stations, Govan and St Enoch, where we could achieve this on both Inner and Outer Circles, so this was included as part of the modernisation programme. The size of the lifts is dictated by the space available.
“SPT has always committed that it would continue to look for ways to introduce more step-free access at our stations as opportunities and alternative solutions became available.
“There is now an opportunity to look at lift access from street level to platform on one circle at both Buchanan Street and at Hillhead. A contractor to look at possible designs for this addition at these stations has already been appointed.
“We are fully aware of the importance of the Subway and that it is the preferred mode to get around the city for many. We also take our responsibilities to help those who require extra assistance to travel with us, for whatever reason, very seriously. We welcome all our disabled passengers on our service, while also recognising and working within its limitations.
“Our first priority is always the safety of everyone travelling with us and at this moment, the only safe way for wheelchair users to access the system without endangering themselves or others is to use Govan or St Enoch stations.
“Everyone should be assured that we have carefully considered all options, however the realities of working within our small Victorian tunnel system does mean we are heavily restricted in some of the things we would like to be able to do. That does not mean we are not continually seeking ways round the challenges presented.
“We are always working to improve access where we can and when new technical developments enable us to relook at decisions as we are at Buchanan Street and Hillhead, we will do so.”
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