‘It is so easy to criticise the authorities, who are doing their best to meet the disability discrimination act requirements’

• BERNARD Miller’s complaint about the absence of wheelchair access to many Transport for London stations is both unreasonable and unrealistic, (Forum, In Brussels I was given a taxi, but here? February 6).

Most underground and above ground stations now owned by TfL were built by the old Underground companies back in the 1900 to 1920s when no consideration was given to disabled passengers and there was no DDA, disability discrimination act.

Even with lifts or escalators there are nearly always further steps to negotiate to reach platform level and to remove or replace these with some other form of access would involve a partial rebuild of the station causing absolute mayhem and inconvenience if it were practical for it to remain open.

Kentish Town had to be closed for the escalator work and Colindale was also closed for about six months for a rebuild. Both those closures caused howls of protest.

Just imagine if this were to happen at many other stations where he seems to expect magically all steps removed and (very expensive) lifts and or escalators provided in lieu.

Apart from the phenomenal cost, running into millions, fares would inevitably have to be raised with the usual outcry.

That sort of money and resources are simply not available at the drop of a hat and have to be planned over years to obtain planning consent, finance, and contracts, apart from the physical work involved and major inconvenience in closing stations to do so.

Camden Town and West Hampstead still await reconstruction although both are agreed in principle.

Perhaps he hasn’t noticed that quite recently certain sections of each platform have been raised in the same place at most Underground stations so that wheelchairs, buggies and pushchairs can be wheeled straight into and out of trains without the need for a ramp?

Or would that spoil his case against TfL who are doing what they can with limited resources?

Most of the overseas and European metro systems mentioned in the Forum were built after the war, usually with government money, so in the light of experience were provided with lifts or escalators from the beginning and designed to be step-free as much as possible, although I believe the Paris metro is still only accessible by steps from street level.

And in any case what is wrong with using buses?

Every vehicle is fitted with a ramp and it is compulsory for passengers with prams or buggies to give way to a wheelchair.

It is so easy to criticise the authorities, who are doing their best to meet the DDA requirements with very limited resources, particularly at the present time with budgetary restrictions.

JOHN STRATTON, NW3