Paralympian Natasha Baker and Conrad Tokarcyzk have been campaigning to get Hillingdon's stations made accessible.

As wheelchair users, Conrad and Natasha - a double Paralympic gold medallist in dressage – are unhappy that only a quarter of London Underground stations have step-free access.

With public finances being so tight, neither the government nor the Labour Party are likely to say there is new money available for making more stations accessible.

Conrad’s idea, which is gaining support, is to set up a public fund to which companies, councils and individuals can contribute, and which would then be spent on installing step free access at stations across London.

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All three of Hillingdon’s MPs are willing to help Conrad and Natasha make progress with the idea.

John McDonnell (Lab, Hayes and Harlington) said: “I think Conrad’s idea of having a public fund is absolutely brilliant.

“In the early 1980s I served on the first national committee that looked at the issue of access to public transport. 

“We had a programme of work which we thought, within a decade, would secure full public access for people with disabilities on public transport. I was bitterly disappointed. I failed in that exercise. I am hoping we don’t fail now.”

Sir John Randall (Con, Uxbridge and South Ruislip) said: “I think the whole idea of a public fund is very innovative and exciting.

“In the past lots of public works were funded by public subscription so I can’t really see why this might be different. It’s very important that we get the costings done so we know exactly the sums we are talking about and what we might try to get through a public fund.”

Nick Hurd (Con, Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner) said: “Conrad is quite right to identify the issue of access to public transport.

“The idea of a public fund is an interesting one and I will work with the other Hillingdon MPs to explore it further.”

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson , however,will take some persuading about having a public fund for disabled access.

He said that Transport for London estimates that the work would cost many millions which means ‘it would probably not be a viable solution in light of the amounts required to fund projects’.

You can sign Conrad Tokarcyzk and Natasha Baker’s petition here:  http://chn.ge/LTR3Gb