Improving access to rail services

A £20 million fund has been launched as part of the Inclusive Transport Strategy to improve accessibility for disabled rail passengers. 

Key facts: 
  • The flagship accessibility programme was launched 12 months ago. Progress so far includes introducing the first ever independent Rail Ombudsman, to make sure passengers get a fair deal when train companies fall short, providing £2 million to build Changing Places accessible toilets in more motorway service stations, and issuing guidance to extend the Blue Badge scheme. 
  • In April the government announced that 73 train stations will benefit from accessible routes to and between every platform, as part of the £300 million Access for All fund. 
  • The programme has so far delivered more than 200 accessible routes into stations along with smaller scale improvements at a further 1,500 stations. 
  • The new £20 million fund will be open for applications from stations in need of accessibility improvements, leading to small-scale enhancements such as tactile paving, handrails and Harrington Humps, which increase platform heights. 

Why this matters: 

While many take for granted the ability to travel easily from A to B, access for the fifth of people who identify as disabled can be far from straightforward. Taken together, these improvements will open up journeys for disabled passengers, allowing them to travel with confidence.

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