Sadiq Khan MP opened a new lift at Balham Station this week, providing step-free access at the station, while Tory Mayor Boris Johnson slashes spending on disabled access to transport services in Tooting.

The move means residents will have to travel to Morden for step-free access to the Underground network.

Sadiq has been successfully campaigning for better and safer access to public transport in the Tooting constituency, on behalf of elderly and disabled residents and parents with buggies.

His campaign has led to the new lift at Balham Station and another lift at Earlsfield Station which will be finished in 2009.

Boris Johnson and Transport for London have other ideas however, and have scrapped plans to build a lift at Tooting Broadway which would provide disabled access to the Underground network.

Sadiq said, “I am really pleased that all our hard work has paid off with a new lift at Balham Station. This will help the many local residents – especially those with buggies, the elderly and the disabled.”

“Tooting Broadway is one of the busiest stations in London and is crying out for disabled access. I am very disappointed at the new Mayor’s U-Turn”

“It is the main stop people use to get to St George’s Hospital – it is vital this lift is built to help people access their local health services.

“I have been campaigning for improved access to our transport system for years.”

'This is not the end of my campaign, but rather just a hurdle. I will not let the Mayor get away with depriving many of Tooting’s most vulnerable residents with this vital service.”