Major London Tube station finally becomes step-free after reviving historic feature

Knightsbridge underground station was built in 1906 (Picture: Getty Images Europe)

A major central London Tube station has become step-free thanks to a century-old feature – but a campaign group says it’s ‘four years’ too late.

Knightsbridge, a Piccadilly line stop used by nearly 13million people every year,has become the 93rd Tube station to become step-free this week.

A new entrance and three new lifts mean passengers can get from the street to the platform via the station without escalators or stairs.

The side passage on Hooper’s Court leads to three 17-person lifts that are only possible thanks to an old lift shaft built in 1906.

The shaft was part of a section of the station that hadn’t been in use since 1934,when the former Bromton Road entrance was sealed off.

Developers and TfL hoped the new lift would open in 2020,but it was delayed by construction works.

Universal Images Group Editorial/Alex Segre)

Hiccups with power supply capacity and too much heat being pumped into the customer area because of the lift,then pushed the 2023 opening back.

The step-free route is part of the Mayor of London’s goal to make 50% of the 272 Tube stations step-free by 2030.

TfL officials could not confirm to Metro which stations will make up this half. Which stations are made step-free can depend on funding,what work needs to be done to the station and the support of the local authority.

More than a third of London Underground stations have step-free access.

‘I am determined to do everything I can to make our transport network as fair and accessible as possible so that every Londoner can make the most of our city,’ said Mayor of London,Sadiq Khan.

Stuart Harvey,TfL’s Chief Capital Officer,added: ‘The installation of lifts at Knightsbridge means that another important zone 1 station is now step-free,something that will benefit millions of our customers every year.’

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But Transport for All,a disabled-led campaign group,called on TfL to ‘pick up the pace’.

Which London Tube stations will soon be step-free?

Colindale (by Autumn 2025)Leyton (Spring 2027)Northolt (Summer 2026)Alperton (Piccadilly line – Uxbridge branch)Arnos Grove (Piccadilly line)Burnt Oak (Northern line – Edgware branch)Eastcote (Metropolitan and Piccadilly line – Uxbridge branch)Finchley Road (Metropolitan and Jubilee lines)North Acton (Central line – West Ruislip branch)Rayners Lane (Metropolitan and Piccadilly line – Uxbridge branch)West Hampstead (Jubilee line)White City (Central line)‘We all want the freedom to travel,and step-free access at Knightsbridge will open London up for many disabled people,’ the group told Metro.‘This work is four years late – TfL must pick up the pace and learn from mistakes,because delays to these projects trap disabled people without transport options.According to TfL,13.2% of Londoners are disabled,and an estimated 1.3million journeys are made by riders with a disability every day.More than 60 London Overground stations and all 41 Elizabeth line stations have step-free access.Campaigners say that train stations lack lifts and ramps,making some parts of the city hard to access for the hundreds of thousands.But revamping the entire London Underground – a more than 160-year-old public transport network – depends a lot on TfL’s funding position and third-party funding,the authority said last year.‘Step free is just the start of making somewhere accessible,’ Transport for All added.‘77% of disabled people say broken and cluttered pavements stop us travelling – we can’t use a step-free station if we can’t get to it.‘We ask Londoners to keep pavements for pedestrians – free from bikes,boards and clutter,so everyone can get around easily.’