£20 million fund to help disabled rail passengers

by

Disabled rail passengers will benefit from a £20 million fund to boost accessibility, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.

Railway station operators will be able to bid for a share of the investment for small-scale improvements such as textured paving, handrails and raising platform heights.

Disabled passengers train travel funding
Disabled rail passengers will benefit from a £20 million fund to boost accessibility, the Department for Transport said. Photo: Yui Mok / PA Wire.

Accessibility Minister Nusrat Ghani said: “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.

Article continues below…
Advert

Monthly Subscription: Enjoy more Railway Magazine reading each month with free delivery to you door, and access to over 100 years in the archive, all for just £5.35 per month.
Click here to subscribe & save

“We want disabled people to travel easily, confidently and without extra cost, which is why it is fantastic to be opening this fund today.

“I look forward to seeing what ideas the industry has for accessibility improvements as we work towards a more inclusive rail network.”


Latest news on ‘The Railway Hub’:


Measures such as lifts and adjustable ticket counters are already being installed at 73 stations as part of the Government’s £300 million Access for All fund.

Article continues below…
Advert

John Welsman, policy lead at charity Guide Dogs, said: “Guide Dogs welcomes the additional funding as independent train travel is a real challenge for people living with sight loss.

“Elements like tactile paving on platform edges and steps, better signage, improved lighting and colour contrast, will make stations easier to negotiate confidently and more safely.

Article continues below…
Advert

“However train travel is still a very complex environment for people with sight loss and we will continue to work to find solutions so that no one with sight loss is left out of life.”


Advert
Subscribe to The Railway Magazine
Enjoy more of The Railway Magazine reading every month. Click here to subscribe.

Railway Reads

From the history of steam through to 21st century rail transport news, we have titles that cater for all rail enthusiasts. Covering diesels, modelling, steam and modern railways, check out our range of magazines and fantastic subscription offers.


About the Author