Disabled Access Issues for London 2012 Olympics & Paralympics

Organisers described London 2012 as "the public transport games", but weeks before the Games begin, there are still accessibility problems for disabled travellers. http://www.channel4.com/news/no-go-britain-puts-olympics-travel-to-the-test As a former accessible travel advisor tells Channel 4 News that travel for disabled people could be "impossible" during the Games we follow four London journeys to put disabled transport to the test. As a former accessible travel advisor tells Channel 4 News that travel for disabled people could be "impossible" during the Games. "At the moment there is a lot of pressure. Possibly accessible features of system will meltdown and it will become impossible for disabled people to get around." Organisers have described London 2012 as "the public transport games" and most spectators are expected to get to Stratford using public transport. This includes an estimated 23,000 people with mobility issues at peak times. The original Olympic Bid made bold claims: that London's 21,000 taxis and the entire Docklands Light Railway are "fully accessible to all"; that all of London's buses are fully accessible as of 2005; and it identified the only constraint as mobility impaired access at every London Underground station. But weeks before the Games begin, is that really possible for disabled travellers? For the latest part of our No Go Britain series, Channel 4 News has enlisted the help of four disabled people who rely on public transport to get around - they use buses, trains and taxis - all of which will be under greater strain this summer. Piccadilly Line Heathrow airport will be many travellers introduction to the Games and is linked to central London via the Piccadilly line, which claims to have 11 step-free stops along its route -- that's the term for a station that is at least partly accessible. No Go Britain decided to test what "step free" really means with wheelchair user Louise Hickman. Staff at the station helped Louise onto the platform and she travelled the length of the Piccadilly line trying to get off at every step-free station. The trouble is, there are two kinds of step-free on the tube map: one means accessible from train to street, the other means only from platform to street but there includes a GAP between the train and the platform. 37 stops later and literally at the end of the line, the train turned around with Louise still on it. She had to head back to Heathrow airport, one and a half hours later. Buses What about the claim that the capital's buses would all be accessible by now? Youth worker Zara Todd (pictured left) has started logging every bus journey she takes for the past six months. Out of around 350 journeys, she had problems with about 150 buses, including at least 50 which she failed to get on. No Go Britain accompanied Zara on a trip to parliament -- one of London's biggest tourist attractions - and uncovered a common problem: TFL's journey planner advises that wheelchair users can disembark but in reality it is not possible, as the pavement is too high for the ramp to be safely deployed. "I'm very happy to be coming to opening ceremony, but I'm also terrified about getting to the opening ceremony -- because I just think system will be under so much pressure," said Zara. Taxis When it comes to taxis, the original Olympic bid claimed all of London's black cabs are fully accessible to disabled people. But No Go Britain has spoken to travellers who don't agree. Wheelchair user Raya has to travel by taxi because her form of muscular dystrophy means she can't use other public transport. She says she has problem with around half of the taxi drivers she comes across. "[when] they don't stop -- a bag full of excuses comes out: 'I don't have a ramp, my ramp is not working, I've hurt my back'," she says. She also says some drivers fail to stop for her at all. When No Go Britain accompanied Raya one sunny Monday morning, she was picked up by a number of drivers, but at Trafalgar Square several appeared to drive past. Guide dog owners However this is not just a problem for wheelchair users. Guide dog owners from around the country have told No Go Britain that some taxi drivers are reluctant to take their custom. "I've been refused a few times and been ignored by taxis," said Marie Haworth from Oldham. She is coming to the Games and agreed to test out what London cabbies make of her dog, Bailey. Once again things started off ok - at the first two locations Marie was picked up without a problem. And then she reached Pall Mall, where a number of cabs seemed to drive past her. "Just on today, I don't feel confident enough to travel by taxi in London with a guide dog," she told Channel 4 News. "[Transport bosses] really need to go back and assess that.