Getting around London

I have lived in London for 20 years. One of the reasons I moved to London was for the easy availability of services and shops and the freedom that public transport offers. But in spite of the vast network of buses, trains, tube lines and stations there are still endless challenges and obstacles that I as a visually impaired commutor have to face.

I’ll describe a recent journey through London...

Luckily I have my Oyster card with me. If I didn’t I would be pretty stuck – the text on the ticket machine is way too small and the screen is just too faint. As the bus approaches, I use my monocular - a hand held telescope - to see its number, which is admittedly quite bold, but the signs on the sliding doors are far too small to read.

The bus is crowded so I ask the driver to let me know when the bus gets to Elephant and Castle tube station; unfortunately, he forgets - thanks driver! Luckily another passenger helps, asking if I want to get off at Elephant and Castle. If only bus drivers could realise the importance of announcing the stops for visually impaired people.

I arrive at the station, which is in effect two stations, one for the Bakerloo line and the other for the Northern Line. The station entrances are facing each other on a large roundabout which has three lanes of traffic. You can get between the stations by walking through tunnels which run between the platforms or you can use the roundabout underpass system. Still with me? if you are not lost you soon probably will be - as you attempt to walk through a maze of tunnels underneath the roundabout. The signs are confusing with either no mention of the tube station, too reflective or unlit and usually placed high up on the walls.

At the underground station, I head for the nearest map and am greeted by a mass of lines and small text, with some words in grey on a white background - how accessible! When we are on the train, each station is called out before the stop, which makes things easier, although the rumbling noise makes it hard to hear. I wish thought that every train and tube could announce the station name.

Finding the exit at Victoria is tricky, as signs are either not present, in small print or too high up. When I go to check for information on train destinations and times, flickering lights on distant boards make for difficult reading.

On my way to Kings Cross, I notice that some of the steps have brass, rather than yellow borders. The brass steps may be hard wearing but they certainly do not help with vision.

I arrive at Kings Cross and the end of a long journey, thinking how much more difficult my journey would have been for someone who was completely blind. I can’t help feeling frustrated. Just a few small changes to London's transport system would make travelling around the city more accessible for any visually impaired person.

The last few years has seen great developments with GPS systems which give you directions, and there are even a few GPS systems designed specifically for blind people. But there are simpler solutions, using large print on signs, putting signs at head or chest height, use of high contrast colours, ensuring signs are lit at night and most of all, put up signs near to the building to help direct people to the building.