Commuter creates app to monitor foot tunnel lifts

The app shares information about the lifts on both sides of the foot tunnel

A cyclist who uses the Greenwich Foot Tunnel to commute to work in Canada Water has set up an app that allows people to see whether its often faulty lifts are operational.

Software engineer Andreas Nikolaou said he came up with the idea after he saw some tunnel users struggle to climb the stairs on either side of the river when the lifts were out of action.

He added that climbing either the 100 steps on the south side or the 87 steps to the north can be a problem for people with mobility issues.

Mr Nikolaou said he started using the tunnel because it is one of the few ways to cross the Thames in south-east London for free.

Mr Nikolaou said: "It doesn't feel as accessible as when you are in central or west London where there's a bridge like every kilometre.

"When I started using [the tunnel], I would go to work and the north lift wouldn't be working in the morning and then on the way back south, that one would not be working. It was very on and off.

"I ride a road bicycle which is fairly lightweight and I'm fairly fit and young.

"So for me, it was more of an inconvenience rather than a problem. But it's a significant amount of effort for someone who might not be fit enough to do that."

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the current setup of the website only costs him £8 a year.

Andreas added: "I'm not trying to make any money out of it or turn it into something else.

"It's just like a community-based project doing something simple with the skills I already have to just help someone who might have to redirect their journey in case they know the elevator won't be working."

The tunnel links Greenwich with the Isle of Dogs

He added he wanted to encourage people who travel through the tunnel to sign up to the app and report on which lifts were working, signposting to others so they know ahead of time.

The foot tunnel, which opened in 1902, links Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs and is 1,215 feet (370m) long.

A Royal Borough of Greenwich spokesperson said because the structure is more than 100 years old it requires specialist maintenance.

They added: "We're sorry there have been issues with the lifts, and the disruption this has caused, as lifts age their performance naturally worsens.

"Because the parts are specially made, ordering them and installing them takes time but we have secured what we need at best value and will be carrying out repairs."

The council said people can walk their bike through the Greenwich and Woolwich foot tunnels but not cycle through them.