A wheelchair-user has founded an app to provide Tube travellers with information on accessibility at stations.
Time Out reported that Simon Sansome developed the app, which is named Snowball, to “reimagine” the map originally designed by Harry Beck and produce a free fully accessible guide to using the London Underground..
Time Out reported that although the map is renowned for its simplicity it omitted something very important – which stations are accessible, and which ones aren’t.
It said TfL has since added information on which stations have complete or partial step-free access, but it doesn’t include everything that a traveller with accessibility requirements might need. For instance, noting which stations provide staff assistance, and when those staff are working.
Time Out said that after becoming disabled in 2015, wheelchair-user Simon didn’t use the tube for 10 years, saying he was “too afraid”.
He said: “I was worried about getting stuck or not being able to get off the carriage because it’s too overcrowded.”
His solution was to visit every single station on the network with his team to build the step-free map.
Each stop is colour coded. Stations marked in green are fully step-free from street to train whereas orange stations require assistance from staff. It also includes airport access points, interchanges with London’s bus network, and the IFS Cloud Cable Car, as well as all station opening times. Snowball has also rated each station according to how accessible the team actually found it, and includes info on the hours that TfL staff typically work.
Simon said: ‘The London Tube map has helped millions find their way around the capital, and now it’s doing the same for the disabled community.
“We’ve designed it so anyone can instantly see which stations are fully accessible, which may require assistance, and how to plan with confidence from start to finish.”