London Underground Escalators

After a long running campaign, guide dog owners with trained dogs will be able to use moving escalators on the Tube, Docklands Light Railway and London Overground due to a byelaw change from Wednesday, 5 October 2011.

Transport for London worked with The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to introduce the change that makes it easier for visually impaired people to travel on the Tube, Docklands Light Railway and London Overground with their dog, so they can use escalators as well as stairs and lifts.

Guide Dogs was keen to make it easier for guide dog owners to travel around London. Many stations in London have limited access to platforms, meaning that guide dog owners had to carry their dogs down escalators, or rely on staff to stop them, which wasn’t always possible in busy periods.

Guide dog owners will need to do special training with Guide Dogs staff before they can use escalators at TfL stations. Guide dog owners will need to contact their local mobility team to arrange training.

Oliver Barton, Client Services Manager at Guide Dogs explains "Our national policy stated that guide dogs should not travel on escalators as there is nearly always a safer alternative nearby, such as lifts or stairs. However, we recognised that in some parts of the London underground system this is not always the case and so we needed to develop this policy."

Police Dogs as well as other Assistance Dogs will also be able to use escalators as a result of the bye law change.

Commenting on the change, Oliver said: "We’re pleased to have worked with TfL to make it possible for guide dog owners to use escalators in many London stations. Once guide dog owners are trained, they will be able to safely use escalators if they provide the only means of accessing TFL managed London stations. Our aim is to help guide dog owners live independently, and this change is another step towards helping blind and partially sighted people enjoy the same freedom as everyone else."