- 124 stations across Great Britain to benefit from a share of £20 million for accessibility improvements
- latest in a series of improvements by the Transport Secretary to accelerate the pace of change for a more accessible transport network
- follows launch of new campaign to improve journeys for disabled people when using public transport
Disabled passengers across Great Britain are set to benefit from accessibility improvements at 124 stations thanks to a £20 million government fund.
The enhancements announced by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps today (26 February 2020) are funded through the Access for All programme and will include new lifts, accessible toilets and customer information screens.
It comes as a new government campaign launched this week to improve the journeys of disabled passengers on public transport.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
The ability to travel easily from A to B is an essential factor for our day to day lives – but is not the reality for everyone.
I recognise that we have much more to do, which is why we’re making 124 train stations across the country more accessible – a key part of levelling-up access for disabled people to transport and opening up opportunities for all.
This is just the start of a much more ambitious agenda. My goal is to go much further in the years ahead to help ensure that our country’s transport system becomes one of the most accessible in the world.
These improvements are being made through the Access for All programme which, since 2006, has already made more than 200 stations step free, as well as delivered smaller scale accessibility improvements at more than 1,500 others to improve passenger experience.
Today’s £20 million is part of a £300 million package announced last year which is already providing accessible, step free routes at 73 stations across Great Britain, making it easier for disabled people to travel on the UK’s rail network.
Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said:
Everyone using our rail network deserves platforms and toilets they can use and this £20 million investment to improve 124 railway stations across the country will make a huge difference to disabled people.
This government is committed to levelling up the playing field and later this year we’ll launch a national strategy which will ensure disabled people have equal access to all spheres of life.
This follows the launch of the it’s everyone’s journey advertising campaign to highlight how we can all play a part in making public transport inclusive. The campaign is being supported by more than 100 partners, including First Group, WHSmith Travel and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Department for Transport research has shown that behaviours that make public transport a daunting place for disabled people are often unconscious, such as not looking out for a fellow passenger who might need a seat or be in distress.
‘it’s everyone’s journey’ will raise awareness about the needs of disabled people when using public transport, particularly people with non-visible impairments, and will also prompt members of the public to think and consider how their behaviour might impact others.
Alongside this, the department has also launched its Inclusive Transport Leaders scheme, an accreditation scheme which will encourage, celebrate and promote best practice in inclusive transport.
Operators, such as bus and train companies, are encouraged to sign up to the Inclusive Transport Leaders Scheme, where they will work towards one of three accreditation levels by demonstrating the steps they have taken to improve the travelling experiences of disabled passengers, older people, and those with reduced mobility.
These improvements form part of the wider Inclusive Transport Strategy and supports the government’s ambition of achieving equal access for all on public transport.
The stations to benefit from the funding are:
| Station | Region |
|---|---|
| Bury St Edmunds | East |
| Colchester North | East |
| Needham Market | East |
| Narborough | East Midlands |
| Barking | London |
| Chessington South | London |
| Ealing Broadway | London |
| Hackney Downs | London |
| Kew Bridge | London |
| Surbiton | London |
| West Croydon | London |
| Billingham | North East |
| Accrington | North West |
| Ainsdale | North West |
| Aintree | North West |
| Altrincham Interchange | North West |
| Aughton Park | North West |
| Bache | North West |
| Bank Hall | North West |
| Bebington | North West |
| Belle Vue | North West |
| Bidston | North West |
| Birkdale | North West |
| Birkenhead central | North West |
| Birkenhead North | North West |
| Birkenhead Park | North West |
| Blundellsands & Crosby | North West |
| Bolton | North West |
| Bootle New Strand | North West |
| Bramhall | North West |
| Bredbury | North West |
| Broad Green | North West |
| Bromborough Rake | North West |
| Bromley Cross | North West |
| Brunswick | North West |
| Chassen Road | North West |
| Davenport | North West |
| Ellesmere Port | North West |
| Fairfield | North West |
| Farnworth | North West |
| Fazakerley | North West |
| Formby | North West |
| Hall Road | North West |
| Hamilton Square | North West |
| Heald Green | North West |
| Heaton Chapel | North West |
| Hightown | North West |
| Hillside | North West |
| Hooton | North West |
| Hoylake | North West |
| Humphrey Park | North West |
| Hunts Cross | North West |
| James Street | North West |
| Kearsley | North West |
| Kirkby | North West |
| Kirkdale | North West |
| Leasowe | North West |
| Liverpool Central (Northern Line) | North West |
| Liverpool South Parkway | North West |
| Lostock | North West |
| Maghull | North West |
| Middlewood | North West |
| Moorfields | North West |
| Moorside | North West |
| Moses Gate | North West |
| New Brighton | North West |
| Old Roan | North West |
| Ormskirk | North West |
| Orrell Park | North West |
| Overpool | North West |
| Prescot | North West |
| Rice Lane | North West |
| Rock Ferry | North West |
| Romiley | North West |
| Rose Hill | North West |
| Ryder Brow | North West |
| Sandhills | North West |
| Seaforth and Litherland | North West |
| Southport | North West |
| Town Green | North West |
| Trafford Park | North West |
| Wallasey Grove Road | North West |
| Wallasey Village | North West |
| Walton | North West |
| Waterloo | North West |
| West Kirby | North West |
| Westhoughton | North West |
| Anderston | Scotland |
| Deal | South East |
| High Brooms | South East |
| Totton | South East |
| Wivelsfield | South East |
| Dorchester South | South West |
| Freshford | South West |
| Lawrence Hill | South West |
| Lostwithiel | South West |
| Nailsea & Backwell | South West |
| Parson Street | South West |
| Patchway | South West |
| Severn Beach | South West |
| Stapleton Road | South West |
| Yate | South West |
| Grangetown | Wales |
| Llantwit Major | Wales |
| Neath | Wales |
| Pontypool & New Inn | Wales |
| Lichfield Trent Valley | West Midlands |
| Wolverhampton | West Midlands |
| Barnetby | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Darnall | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Darton | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Dodworth | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Elsecar | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Horton in Ribblesdale | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Hull Paragon | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Kiveton Bridge | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Kiveton Park | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Malton | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Penistone | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Pontefract Monkhill | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Silkstone Common | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Thirsk | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Thorne South | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| Woodhouse | Yorkshire and the Humber |
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