DAVID Blunkett has called for “urgent action” after figures showed the number of people falling through the gap at Tube stations has soared. The blind former Home Secretary was hospitalised after he slipped between the platform and the carriage at Westminster.
![[Portrait of David Blunkett at Sheffield Town Hall.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ay3f9m-former-home-secretary-david-934193175.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Shocking new stats obtained by The Sun reveal similar incidents across the Underground rose from 186 in 2021 to 247 in 2023. In total, more than 600 users have fallen through the gap during the three year period - with Baker Street responsible for the most.
![[Portrait of Dr. Benjamin Marriage, a woman with a prosthetic arm, smiling.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/999-hero-category-dr-benjamin-843077454.jpg?strip=all&w=676)
Lord Blunkett, 77, said he hoped the alarming 30 per cent hike would put pressure on Transport for London (TfL) to act. He said: “It is clear urgent action is needed. “I am awaiting answers to 16 questions that I put to TfL. “But I hope that the publicity and exposure that is now being given will actually energise the drive to invest in safety.”.
The Labour peer demanded safety improvements after he was hurt in November. He criticised the safety of stations for blind people - labelling them “death traps” - and demanded TfL do more to protect them. Lord Blunkett said: “Some of our platforms are death traps.
“The gap between the walkway and train is huge and they are unsafe for everyone, but particularly for blind people. “How many others have fallen and been seriously injured because of the gap?. “It is not good enough to simply say ‘mind the gap’ and not give any help. We need action now to avoid preventable injury or worse.”.
