We rely on lifts a lot in the modern world. They help us to transport goods and machinery, make buildings more accessible and can make travelling between floors much easier and quicker. But when was the first lift invented and what was it used for?

From pulley systems for transporting stone to super-speed elevators that take us hundreds of meters in the air, the lift has developed and advanced so much over the course of history.

A lift can be found on almost anything. Machinery often has lifts to allow them to transport goods, buildings have lifts to transport people and some vehicles also have lifts to enable them to manoeuvre objects around. But how did the lift come to be?

To discover this, we must travel back in history to around 200 BC. Archimedes was a Greek mathematician who is originally credited for inventing the beginnings of what we now know to be the modern lift.

However, similar contraptions date back even further to Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians used hoists akin to lifts to help transport rocks and stones when building the pyramids and these were often driven by men or even animals.

While the lift today is a long way off these ancient contraptions, it is clear that their basic mechanics are the same. A rope, or cable, which uses a pulley system to move upwards and downwards in order to transport a load.

In Ancient Rome, a form of lift was used in the colosseum, and they have also been noted as being fashionable and prevalent in royal palaces and castles.

It wasn't until the industrial revolution that this really caught on and became a widespread and commonly used mechanism though. During this period, steam-driven lifts were used in order to carry heavy loads that could not be handled manually.

In the early 19th century, the first hydraulic lift was made. Although during this time, they were still mainly used for the transportation of goods. People carrying lifts were not commonplace due to a lack of safety regulations and fear of the unknown.

It wasn’t until the late 1800s that the passenger lift was invented in New York. The Equitable Life Building was the first in the world to have functioning passenger lifts. The first electrical lift followed not ten years later in 1880, being created in Germany.

Many people were still wary of lifts at this time and chose not to use them, however it is still incredible to think that they were invented so long ago. Although technology has advanced since then, the basic mechanics of the lift remain much the same, showing it to be a historical design.

Lifts have helped to revolutionise the way we live. We are now able to travel up skyscrapers that sit hundreds of metres in the sky in just a few short seconds. It is definite that we take them for granted and don’t truly appreciate just how much easier they have made life.

Lift technology has advanced in leaps and bounds in recent years, and they are now smoother, safer, and more efficient than ever before. There are many benefits to refurbishing or even replacing an aged lift that is slow, poorly lit, and possibly unreliable. Here are some reasons why it can be a great move.

Modern lifts are more energy efficient

Lifts which rely on old and outdated mechanisms often have a high energy consumption. A new system is likely to be far more energy efficient than an older model, saving money on electricity bills.

Compliance with the latest health and safety standards

Older lifts can be a hazard, particularly if they have been poorly maintained. Even an aged lift with a full service history will not have been manufactured to modern standards of health and safety, which is a very important consideration, especially if the lift is in a public place.

Reduced maintenance costs

Outdated lifts require frequent maintenance and servicing. It may be necessary to replace certain parts on a regular basis, and it may even be difficult to track down the right parts for older models of lift. These costs can mount up over time, and ultimately it may be more cost effective to replace it.

Better quality of user experience

Older lifts can be unreliable, clunky, noisy, and jerky. Modern lifts are designed to give a quiet and smooth ride, and are user friendly. The interior will be clean and bright and pleasant and comfortable to travel in.

 Modern lifts are often available in a range of finishes for both interior and exterior, so you can order a bespoke lift that will fit in well with your company branding or domestic interior design scheme. It may also be possible to make more efficient use of space with a sleeker design.

If you are looking for bespoke platform lifts, please get in touch today.

The modern passenger lift has what can only be described as an eclectic history, but one of its strangest chapters was when a PR company made a lift that tastes like Jaffa Cakes when you lick it.

In one sense, this is not necessarily surprising, as lifts and Jaffa Cakes seem to be attracted to bizarre events. One of the lift’s most defining moments, after all, was when inventor Elisha Otis took an axe to the safety rope of his lift prototype and highlighted how safe it was.

Meanwhile, the famous tangy cake had to prove it was not a biscuit in court in a case that somehow actually happened to the shock of people over three decades later.

Somehow, to celebrate the 85th birthday of the famous cake brand (as determined in court), a London-based marketing company was conscripted to celebrate the occasion by giving a perfectly ordinary office lift at the offices of Engine a tangy twist.

Called the Lickable Lift, the wallpaper has 1325 individual Jaffa cakes, each featuring the chocolate, cake or orange zest flavour the brand is known for that could literally be licked off of the walls, although exactly how hygienic that would be beyond that initial run of office workers should not be thought about.

It was inspired in no small part by the lickable wallpaper from the popular children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which in itself has its own interesting connection to lifts through its sequel, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.

The eponymous lift has somewhat strange capabilities, with it being able to travel sideways, through the roof of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and even into outer space, where the book suddenly turns from childish whimsy into a science fiction tale.

Such is the uniqueness of the story of lifts that somehow the concept of lickable wallpaper can be connected to the elevator twice.

A new station in Essex is being built with lifts to ensure it provides access to all passengers when it opens. 

Essex County Council recently revealed a contract has been signed with Network Rail for a station located in the Beaulieu Park area of Chelmsford.

Construction is due to start at the beginning of 2023 and the local authority hopes it will be open to the public by the end of 2025.

Martin Leech, managing director of strategic land and major projects at developer Countryside Zest, said the new project will “not only significantly improve the transport connections for the residents at Beaulieu, but also the wider Chelmsford Garden Village community”. 

Everyone has been considered when it comes to the design of the facility, as developers are planning to build step-free access to all the platforms by installing two lifts. 

There will also be accessible toilets and baby change facilities, while five per cent of its 700-car parking bay will be designated for Blue Badge holders. 

Consequently, Adam Simpson, director of project management and development at L&Q, said the partnership between Network Rail and the council “will enable us to improve not only local transport connections, but also the lifestyle of thousands of residents”.

This comes after Bond Street station on the Elizabeth line finally opened to the public in October, providing step-free access with elevators. 

Transport for London said the station, which has the capacity for 140,000 people a day, will “relieve congestion at Oxford Circus and make the area more accessible”, reported the BBC.  

If you want to install a commercial wheelchair lift at your business premises, contact us to discuss your options. 

Over the centuries-long existence of the modern passenger lift, there have been many advances, evolutions and developments that have come as a result of ingenuity, technological advances and in the wake of unfortunate tragedy.

One of the most unusual causes for lift development, however, came in 1945 when lifts were developed with features that seemed as unthinkable as flying an aircraft without a pilot.

Once lifts became a common part of increasingly tall buildings, people were needed to operate what were at the time somewhat complex machines that could be potentially dangerous in the wrong hands.

This led to the rise of the lift attendant, who would not only operate the machinery but provide a friendly demeanour, clearly articulate the floor they were on and information about the businesses held on it, along with taking requests.

It was a largely thankless job, with attendants working long hours (84-hour weeks were not uncommon) for low pay, no meals, no protection under employment laws of the era and at the risk of exploitation.

Infamously, female lift attendants had to attend “charm school” for up to eight weeks in some stores, dye their hair and wear mandated makeup, cosmetics and uniforms.

The working conditions led to countless strikes from the 1920s until the 1940s to petition for better working conditions. Several people who tried to operate the lifts themselves died in accidents as a result.

Whilst it would take quite some time, unions such as Local 32-B eventually won limits to the number of hours they had to work in a week as well as union recognition.

However, after a strike in 1945 that involved 15,000 lift attendants in New York City alone, lift manufacturers started to work on solutions that would allow lifts to run on their own, with safety features such as an emergency stop button, telephone and automated voice aiding the transition.

This effectively ended the wave of lift strikes largely by eliminating the need for lift operators completely, although there are still some found in theme parks and more prestigious department stores primarily focusing on marketing, making announcements and working as customer greeters.

A public consultation has been launched into the proposed £1.5bn redevelopment of Liverpool Street Station, the BBC reports. The new plans include better step-free access for customers to the platforms. The developers are Sellar, who were also responsible for the landmark Shard project.

The owners of the site, Network Rail, are working with Sellar and architects Herzog & De Meuron to upgrade the current facilities, which are prone to overcrowding. At present, there is only one wheelchair platform lift for disabled travellers, and the developers propose adding a further seven lifts.

Robin Dobson, group property director at Network Rail, said: "The plans would transform Liverpool Street station into an exciting mixed-use destination in its own right, whilst sensitively restoring and showcasing the station's heritage architecture.”

He added: "We're delivering it through a public and private partnership, which will provide long-lasting benefits for the local community and the region."

However, the Victorian Society have raised objections to the scheme, arguing that it will damage the heritage and character of the listed Victorian era station. It was constructed in the 1870s, and is now one of London’s busiest transport hubs.

Victorian Society Director, Joe O’Donnell, said: “It is extremely disappointing that a proposed redevelopment of a major Victorian station has got this far without speaking to the Victorian Society - especially where public bodies such as Network Rail and TFL are involved.”

He added: “As a statutory consultee, it makes sense to speak to us at an early stage. However, despite our writing to TfL and Network Rail months ago, asking to be involved in discussions, we heard nothing until the plans were announced. Consequently, we cannot comment on the details of the plans.”

Sellar also plan to construct a 10-storey hotel and office complex next to the station, with adjacent public green spaces.

Disability rights campaigners have criticised plans by the Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan to close the majority of rail ticket offices. At the recent Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Ms Trevelyan said that she will ask the rail industry to launch UK-wide consultations into ticket office provision.

However, the plans have led to a key member of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) to resign in protest. The Disability New Service (DNS) reports that Matthew Smith has called the government’s transport policies ‘discriminatory.’ It is feared that the proposals could see up to four-fifths of ticket offices closing.

There has already been a steep rise in unstaffed stations and driver-only trains over the past few years, particularly in the South-East of England. This effectively makes the train service inaccessible to the majority of wheelchair users, who require assistance with ramps to board and disembark from trains, and to use platform lifts. 

A section of the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) was described in a report by the DPTAC as having staffing levels which were “completely inadequate to deliver an accessible railway”. The ticket office staff are often the only members of staff on hand at some stations, and their loss may leave rail operators in breach of the Equality Act. 

A DfT spokesperson said: “We would like to thank Matthew Smith for his five years of service as a member of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.”

They added: “We’re committed to transforming accessibility across the UK rail network, and have dedicated £383 million for such improvements at rail stations which will deliver more than 100 accessible step free routes and smaller scale access enhancements at 124 stations.”

However, the DNS reports that disabled people’s safety is being compromised, as they often rely on trained staff members to help them with route planning, navigating the rail station, using wheelchair ramps, and accessing lifts and toilets. 

It is feared that the quality of life for wheelchair users will be reduced if the planned cuts to station staff go ahead. Many disabled people rely on public transport to access healthcare services, shop, and socialise. Without the required support in place, the effect will be greater isolation and poorer health outcomes. 

A spokesperson for the Equality and Human Rights Committee (EHRC) said in response to Mr Smith’s resignation: “We are aware of the concerns Mr Smith raises in his resignation letter to the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, and we are carefully considering the most appropriate regulatory response.”

They added: “The EHRC is committed to upholding disabled people’s right to equal travel. We know that many disabled or older passengers rely on station staff and ticket offices to access rail services. Under the Equality Act, all service providers must make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people are not unfairly disadvantaged”.

The rail worker’s union, RMT, is campaigning against the closures, according to The Independent, describing the proposals as unacceptable.

If you would like some advice about a commercial wheelchair lift, please get in touch today.

Plan to improve step-free access to the London Underground may be delayed or cancelled due to the lack of funds, the BBC reports. Transport for London (TfL) who are responsible for managing the Tube, suffered a sharp fall in revenue during the pandemic, and have received a series of government bailout deals since.

TfL have recently published the results of an extensive public consultation, which found that two-thirds of respondents would use the Tube more if there were more step-free stations. Although there are almost 200 step-free stations across the network, plans to add at three more have currently been put on hold. 

Fazilet Hadi, head of policy at Disability Rights UK, said it was "not acceptable that people with mobility impairments and wheelchair users continue to be denied access" on public transport. TfL said that it would "continue to work with third parties and developers to identify funding".

Measures to help wheelchair users access trains on the new Jubilee Line are currently being trialled, as Rail Advent reports. A special bridging device is being used to give wheelchair users more support and confidence when crossing the narrow gap between the train and the platform edge, which will be available at participating stations until February 2023.

Mark Evers, Transport for London’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Making our transport network more accessible and inclusive is a top priority for us, as we know that a more accessible public transport network benefits everyone.”

He added: “The response to the consultation shows how important accessibility is for encouraging more people to use public transport. The bridging device has been designed to improve customers’ confidence and experience of using the network and I hope as many people as possible try it out during the trial period.”

Customers are being encouraged to leave feedback about their experience of using the bridging device. 

If you are looking for a platform lift company, please get in touch today.

Disability rights campaigners have criticised plans by the Transport Secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan to close the majority of rail ticket offices. At the recent Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, Ms Trevelyan said that she will ask the rail industry to launch UK-wide consultations into ticket office provision.

However, the plans have led to a key member of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) to resign in protest. The Disability New Service (DNS) reports that Matthew Smith has called the government’s transport policies ‘discriminatory.’ It is feared that the proposals could see up to four-fifths of ticket offices closing.

There has already been a steep rise in unstaffed stations and driver-only trains over the past few years, particularly in the South-East of England. This effectively makes the train service inaccessible to the majority of wheelchair users, who require assistance with ramps to board and disembark from trains, and to use platform lifts. 

A section of the Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) was described in a report by the DPTAC as having staffing levels which were “completely inadequate to deliver an accessible railway”. The ticket office staff are often the only members of staff on hand at some stations, and their loss may leave rail operators in breach of the Equality Act. 

A DfT spokesperson said: “We would like to thank Matthew Smith for his five years of service as a member of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.”

They added: “We’re committed to transforming accessibility across the UK rail network, and have dedicated £383 million for such improvements at rail stations which will deliver more than 100 accessible step free routes and smaller scale access enhancements at 124 stations.”

However, the DNS reports that disabled people’s safety is being compromised, as they often rely on trained staff members to help them with route planning, navigating the rail station, using wheelchair ramps, and accessing lifts and toilets. 

It is feared that the quality of life for wheelchair users will be reduced if the planned cuts to station staff go ahead. Many disabled people rely on public transport to access healthcare services, shop, and socialise. Without the required support in place, the effect will be greater isolation and poorer health outcomes. 

A spokesperson for the Equality and Human Rights Committee (EHRC) said in response to Mr Smith’s resignation: “We are aware of the concerns Mr Smith raises in his resignation letter to the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee, and we are carefully considering the most appropriate regulatory response.”

They added: “The EHRC is committed to upholding disabled people’s right to equal travel. We know that many disabled or older passengers rely on station staff and ticket offices to access rail services. Under the Equality Act, all service providers must make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people are not unfairly disadvantaged”.

The rail worker’s union, RMT, is campaigning against the closures, according to The Independent, describing the proposals as unacceptable.

If you would like some advice about a commercial wheelchair lift, please get in touch today.

The new Bond Street Station on the Elizabeth Line has finally opened, the BBC reports. Delays in the building work mean that it was not able to come into operation when the line was officially opened by the late Queen Elizabeth II in May 2022. Commuters have welcomed the new facility, which offers step-free access via elevators and walkways.

The new station has capacity for 140,000 passengers per day and trains will run at five-minute intervals. The design of the long-awaited Elizabeth Line, formerly known as the Crossrail project, has been widely praised by both critics and commuters for its spacious proportions, and well-thought-out details.

Andy Byford, London's transport commissioner, said: “[ it would be the] jewel in the crown of the West End's transport provision. It is truly spectacular and will provide a highly significant new link to one of the busiest shopping districts in the UK, enabling even further connectivity to jobs and leisure for people across London and the South East."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan added via a Tweet: "so proud to be at the opening…This station is spacious, stylish and step-free and a huge boost for retail and hospitality in London.” Bond Street is a key station for access to central London from Reading to the east, and Heathrow to the East. 

The Elizabeth Line is still not operating to the final timetable, which is due to take effect no later than May 2023. Older people and disabled people can use the service for free with a Freedom Pass, and other customers have the option of using railcards, Oyster Cards, or paper tickets purchased from machines or ticket offices.

If you would like to discuss the purchase and installation of a commercial wheelchair lift, we would be happy to talk to you today. 

Wheelchair uses face extra challenges when navigating everyday spaces such as homes and offices. It is a requirement that reasonable efforts are made to ensure that all buildings are accessible to wheelchair users, and in many cases, this means installing a platform lift to travel up and down steps and stairs. 

Here are some factors to take into account when choosing a wheelchair platform lift. 

What is the distance of travel?

For access to heights of up to three metres, an open platform lift may be the best solution. They can provide step free access both internally and externally, in homes and public buildings. The open design requires no pit, so it can be added to a building with the minimum of alterations. 

For heights of over three metres, an alternative might be a vertical platform lift, which has a maximum travel height of 13 metres. Another option is the inclined platform lift, which is designed to travel along a stair rail.

What are the space requirements?

Open platform lifts take up the least room. Incline lifts will need unobstructed space along the stair rail, which may be an issue on narrow staircases. Vertical platform lifts require more space to install. In some cases, the lift may be installed as an external extension to the building. 

If you are unsure if you have sufficient space for a lift, it is best to contact a lift installation company who will be able to advise you on the best solutions.

How is the lift operated?

Many wheelchair users like to retain a sense of independence when using a lift, and want to be able to operate it themselves. If this is the case, check how easy it is to use the operating panel at wheelchair height, and if the safety and alarm systems can be easily activated by a wheelchair user.

If you own a lift or are responsible for keeping one in good working order, you will know how important it is to make sure it is safe and reliable. A regular service and maintenance schedule is the best way to ensure that the lift remains at its optimal level of performance, to minimise hazards, and prolong the life of the lift.

Regular inspections can pick up small faults before they turn into major headaches, so it’s important to choose your lift maintenance company carefully. Here are some points to look out for.

Do they have the correct equipment for your type of lift?

There are various types and models of lift, and different tools and equipment may be needed for each. Check to see if they have experience with the particular type and make of lift you have, such as passenger lifts, bespoke platform lifts, stair lifts, service and goods lifts, and so on. High-rise lifts may also need more specialist tools and equipment.

Do they have an experienced and well-trained workforce?

Lift service and maintenance is a highly skilled job, which should be carried out by an experienced lift engineer. Ask about the training and qualifications of their staff, and if they work to Lift Cert standard and follow the relevant guidance and regulations. The more skilful and knowledgeable your engineer, the less likely it is you will need return visits.

Do they offer to give advice and supply you with a report?

A good service company will be willing to offer training and advice to the person responsible for the day to day running of the lift, to spot early signs of trouble, and improve its performance. They will also supply you with an engineer’s report to comment on the overall condition of the lift, and make recommendations for future action if necessary.

Lifts are an essential part of modern life, making buildings more accessible to us all and helping us to make our way around and about. It’s easy to take them for granted, however, and it can be very inconvenient when they do start operating at less than maximum efficiency.

As such, it can be useful to familiarise yourself with some of the most common signs that your lift is starting to fail, so you can take preventative action quickly before the problem becomes urgent.

One of the biggest indications that there is an issue somewhere is, of course, regular breakdowns. Beyond this being a nuisance and offputting for clients and customers, it can also be quite expensive, with callout fees, repair costs and parts all adding up quickly. It could be worth having a survey carried out to see if there’s a problem somewhere.

It can also pay to be vigilant where the noise of the lift is concerned. If you’ve started hearing strange sounds during lift operation, it is important not to ignore it. Lifts should always be relatively quiet while working, as long as they’ve been installed properly and are serviced regularly.

Also look out for the lift stopping randomly on the wrong floor, as this can also suggest there’s an issue that needs attending to. If you’ve noticed this, make sure you call out an engineer to come and check it out.

Even the very best maintained lifts will start to show their age at some point, so if you know yours is on the older side, it may well be that it’s time to consider lift refurbishment or even investing in a new appliance to ensure seamless operation. 

At one time, a lift in a domestic house was a rarity, unless it was a stair lift installed for an elderly or disabled person. Nowadays however, a lift is fast becoming a must-have feature, which adds value to a house. They are not just the preserve of larger and more exclusive properties, but are increasingly installed in any type of multi-level home.

As the need to design homes fit for all stages of life becomes more apparent, forward-thinking architects are including a lift as a standard feature in new build homes. Here’s why.

Modern lifts are sleek and stylish

Lifts once had a reputation for being cumbersome and ugly. However, elevator technology has progressed significantly over the past couple of decades, and you might be surprised with the quality of today’s lifts.

Aesthetically speaking, they are designed to a much higher standard, with a choice of finishes and colours to complement the interior décor of your home. They can be installed to fit discreetly into a corner of a room, or even be used to form a focal point.

Platform lifts, which do not require a cable, take up no more space than a cupboard or wardrobe, and are relatively straightforward to install, even in a home that wasn’t originally designed to accommodate a lift.

Modern lifts are safe and quiet

Lifts once had a reputation for being noisy and unreliable. However, modern lifts are designed to the highest safety standards and regulations. Your lift installation company will advise you about a regular maintenance programme to keep it in perfect working order.

Modern lifts are affordable

There is a common assumption that installing a lift is expensive, but it won’t necessarily cost more than renovating any other part of your house. They also add value to your home, as people now actively seek out accessibility features which will future-proof the property.

If you are looking for lift companies, please get in touch today.

If you have identified a need to install a lift, you may not be quite sure which type will be best. Here are some of the main points to consider, to help you choose the most appropriate type of lift for the building.

How many people do you want to transport?

The first thing to decide is how the lift will be used. If it is for wheelchair access, or just to transport one to three people at a time, a platform lift may be the best solution. If there is a high volume of traffic in a public building, or there are more than four storeys, then a larger capacity passenger lift will be needed.

How much space is there in the building?

If the building is still in the design and planning stage, then it is much easier to incorporate the lift shaft from the start. Sometimes, lift shafts can be fitted to existing buildings, if there is sufficient space. If there is not the capacity to build a lift shaft, then a platform lift might be a more suitable solution.

Will the lift be aesthetically pleasing?

It is important in most cases that the lift should fit in and complement the décor of the building. Lifts are available in a range of finishes and fittings to suit, and you can specify colours and materials for both the exterior and interior trim in many cases.

Put a maintenance plan in place

Finally, once the lift has been installed, it is important to keep your lift well maintained and adhere to a regular servicing schedule. LOLER examinations or lift inspections are legally required to be completed regularly by a competent person. This will reduce the likelihood of problems occurring in the future, ensure that it is safe to operate, and will extend its lifespan.

If you would like some information about lift companies , please talk to us today.

All new homes in England will be required to have step-free access under proposed changes to the Building Regulations. The Architect’s Journal reports that the reforms have been brought about after a consultation into raising accessibility standards for private housing.

The new regulations will only apply to entrance-level access, but it could mean that apartment blocks which currently do not have step free access will now have lifts installed. It may also pave the way for houses to be designed to better standards of accessibility in the future.

The minister for rough sleeping and housing Eddie Hughes said: ‘Older and disabled people must have homes which are suitable for their needs, and allow them to live comfortably and independently.’

He added: ‘This consultation has made clear raising the accessibility standard of new homes is supported not just by people who use accessible homes, but by industry and wider stakeholders as well. With that mandate, we are forging ahead with the next steps to make this a reality.’

The move has been made in response to the growing problem of the UK’s aging population, and the fact that only 9% of UK homes have key accessibility features, which allow them to be classed as ‘visitable.’ It is thought that over 400,000 wheelchair users are living in homes which are not properly adapted to their needs.

The proposed changes to the building regulations will require accessibility to be considered as an integral part of the design process, rather than an afterthought. This will help to futureproof England’s homes, by allowing current and future generations to stay living independently in their homes for longer.

Accessible features in a home, such as lifts, not only benefit the elderly and disabled, but also the parents of young children, pregnant women, and the temporarily injured. They also make them more visitable for older generations.

If you are looking for lift companies, please talk to us today.uk/stair-lifts.

Many people with disabilities prefer to remain as independent as possible in their own homes. One of the key aspects of this may involve safely navigating the different floors within a house, to access a bathroom or bedroom. For those who use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, adaptations or alterations will have to be made.

It may be possible to obtain a grant to cover some or all of the fees from your local authority, if you live in England or Wales. This is known as a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). The capped amount you can receive in England is £30,000. Here’s a guide to the application process.

The grant is means tested, so the amount you are eligible for will be affected by your income and savings of over £6,000. Anyone with a permanent disability, whether physical or mental, can apply to fund changes to their home, such as home lifts, wetrooms, ramps, widening of doorways, and so on.

The first step is to contact your local council for an assessment, because each area has slightly different rules. They will arrange for an assessment to be made, and will decide if the work is necessary, appropriate to meet your needs, and can be physically carried out without compromising the structural integrity of the property.

If the council approves the work, it will normally ask for two estimates for the cost. You will have to fill out an application form, and submit documentation to prove you are the owner or tenant of the property. The next step is to apply for planning permission.

You must wait for approval before any work starts, or this could invalidate your claim. The council may either pay the contractor directly for the work, or issue you with a cheque, or instalments to pay the contractor yourself.

A disabled man has spoken to the media about his distressing experience when attempting to change platforms at Milton Keynes Central station. The Independent reports that Chris Nicholson, a wheelchair user, became stranded when he had to unexpectedly change platforms after a train cancelation on a recent journey. 

There was no working lift or other step-free access on the platform, and station staff told Chris that he must wait for the next available train, which was several hours away. He was left stranded on a platform in 31°c heat, with no access to toilets or refreshments. 

Staff said they were unable to help him up a flight of concrete steps, because it would go against the station’s health and safety policy. Chris decided to take matters into his own hands, and he dragged himself and his chair up a flight of steps. At the halfway point, a passenger and staff member came to his assistance. 

Chris, a former rugby player, told the publication: "If staff had been trained to help people with different disabilities, had evac chairs readily available and actually had a working lift - because that lift had been down for seven days according to the security guard.”

He added: "I'm not just the only person who's been in this situation. It's progressed further and there's a lot of people out there who have had issues on public transport. If people were trained, if people had the knowledge and understanding of what to do then we wouldn't be in this situation right now."

Chris pointed out that his experience of public transport was common for many disabled people across the country, and also affected parents with prams and pushchairs. He called for a change in policy to oblige transport operators to improve accessibility. The train operator, Avanti West Coast, later issued an apology for the incident.

If you would like some information about a wheelchair platform lift, please get in touch today.

Leyton tube station in East London has been approved for refurbishment work, including the addition of new lifts to enable step-free access to all the platforms. The plans also include the addition of a new ticket hall, which would be three times as large as the existing one, and extra staircases to the platforms.

The existing tube station is prone to overcrowding at peak times, resulting in emergency staircases being opened to ease the pressure on several occasions. The proposed upgrade scheme would cost £18-20 million, and it has received the approval of the Mayor of London. However, there is currently a funding shortfall that needs to be met.

A TfL spokesperson said: “The approval of a GLA grant will enable us to complete the initial plans for station improvements at Leyton, including details of the programme and cost estimates for both detailed design and construction.”

They added: “We will continue discussions with both the London Borough of Waltham Forest and GLA on how the wider programme can be funded and delivered. While this is a positive step for the project, future enhancement programmes like Leyton remain dependent on securing sufficient long-term funding from Government.”

A new residential development of 7,000 homes is being built near the station, and this is expected to put even more pressure the already overcrowded platforms. The station is currently used by 14 million passengers per year, and this is expected to increase to 17 million by 2041.

Waltham Forest council has agreed to provide £9m of funding, and initially TfL agreed to fund the rest. However, the pandemic has since put further pressure on TfL’s finances, and the funding negotiations are still ongoing.

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At the recent Party at the Palace event to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, plans were put in place to convey the 96-year-old monarch in comfort to the Royal Box, according to the Daily Mail. The queen has been experiencing mobility problems in the months leading up to the Jubilee celebrations, and has pulled out of several public events.

Before the special concert, featuring stars such as Rod Stewart, Queen (the band), Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers, Craig David, and Diana Ross, a sharp-eyed visitor spotted a lift installation behind the scenes of the Royal Box.

Bowel Cancer UK fundraiser Dafydd Jones attended the event as a special guest. He tweeted a photograph of the lift to the Royal Box on The Mall, and speculated that it had been put in place to enable the Queen to access the raised platform.

Dafydd wrote on Twitter: “Behind the scenes here on The Mall, looks like a lift has been installed for Her Majesty's comfort to take her to the Royal Box.” The report was neither confirmed or denied by Buckingham Palace or the BBC, who were broadcasting the event.

Her Majesty made the decision not to attend the concert in person, and was represented by her son, Prince Charles, along with various other senior members of the Royal Family.

While not everyone with limited mobility is fortunate enough to have their own personal lift installed, there are regulations pertaining to wheelchair access in public places. They are part of the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995, and were updated to encompass the Equality Act 2010, which expanded the requirements for public disabled access.

All new-build public buildings must be fully wheelchair accessible, and all existing buildings are required to have reasonable adjustments made to accommodate wheelchair users. This may mean installing access ramps of regulation steepness, passenger lifts, or wheelchair platform lifts, automatic doors, and extra aids or services.