London Underground disability ramps to stay after Games

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has used the ramps

Ramps introduced at some Tube platforms to help wheelchair users during the Olympics and Paralympics are to be retained.

Transport for London (TfL) said the boarding aids at 16 stations would stay for a few months while a review was carried out.

The move follows positive feedback from customers during the Games.

Disability charity Transport for All welcomed the move saying the ramps had been "revolutionary".

Increased access

The boards are used where there is a gap between the train and platform.

Faryal Velmi, director of Transport for All, said she was "very happy" with TfL's decision.

She said: "It's meant that many many wheelchair users and scooter users have been able to use parts of the Tube network for the first time, which is revolutionary in many cases."

TfL's review will examine all aspects of the ramps' use, including benefits to customers, reliability, cost, level of usage and potential locations for future use.

Mike Brown, London Underground managing director, said: "These ramps have proved to be very useful for our customers and we are going to continue to use them after the Games whilst we review whether they are permanently viable."

Ms Velmi added she wanted the ramps to be rolled out across the whole network, for trained staff to be on hand to use them, and for longer term changes including raised platforms to follow.