DPTAC: Door to Door - a travel guide for disabled people

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Most railway stations in the UK are old and many have limited access to disabled travellers, especially wheelchair users.

This is often because of their location, for example they are built on embankments or in cuttings. These features can make it very difficult to move between platforms as often the only way to get across the tracks is by using a footbridge.

However the Trains Operating Companies and Network Rail, who own and run a lot of the stations are constantly making improvements to the stations to make sure that they are as accessible as possible.

When planning a rail journey, you will need to remember access and facilities vary greatly between stations. It might be worth considering a longer road journey to use a station that has better facilities.

To help you find out how easy or difficult it might be to use a particular station, a "National Rail Map for People with Mobility Difficulties" has been produced which has on it all the railway stations in Britain, showing useful information such as where you can get onto all platforms without having to use any steps. You can request a free copy (subject to availability) by sending your name and full postal address to: PRM Map, Disability and Inclusion, 3rd floor, 40 Bernard Street, London WC1N 1BY or e-mail: disability@atoc.org. You can also download it from: nrekb.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/disabled_passengers/accessibility_maps.html.

You may also wish to consider the alternative routes that may be available to reach your destination. As well as the difference in journey time, you may be able to avoid the need to change trains, or be able to change trains at a more accessible station. This might be especially important if you are travelling through London where you might have to travel across the city between stations.

Where there are station car parks, most have allocated spaces close to the station entrance for Blue Badge holders. However, even if you have a Blue Badge you may still need to pay at some station car parks, so it is worth checking this before you start your journey.

Platforms at many mainline stations can be reached by ramp or lift but it is sometimes necessary for staff to escort you via an alternative route.

Many stations have accessible toilets, however these are kept locked at some stations to stop vandalism. In these cases, you will either need to ask station staff for a key, or often they are opened using a RADAR Key - more information about the RADAR key scheme can be found at: www.radar-shop.org.uk.

For people with hearing and speech impairments, stations normally display printed timetables. Most stations now have Visual Display Units(VDUs) which display arrival and departure details. Many station booking offices have an induction loop available to assist hearing aid users, however you might have to ask for it to be switched on.

For people who are visually impaired, train arrivals and departures are usually announced over public address systems at larger stations, however these can vary in quality.

If you are concerned that you will not be able to access the information to catch your train, you should ask the station staff for assistance, but remember that assistance can usually only be provided where and when stations are staffed.

Assistance Dogs travel free and can be taken into stations and station buffets and restaurants.

Make sure you know where you will need to be met on arrival, or how you will get to your final destination. The local Disability Information and Advice Line (see under DIAL in the phone book) may know what accessible transport is available at your destination.

Traintaxi
Traintaxi may be helpful in identifying stations where accessible taxis are available to get to and from the station. Traintaxi is a database and guide that:

lists all the train, metro, tram and underground stations in Britain;
shows whether each station has a taxi rank or cab office;
lists up to three local taxi or cab firms serving each station.

It also indicates where all or some of the vehicles used by a taxi firm are understood to be wheelchair accessible. You are recommended to telephone before travelling to check availability and suitability. You can search for availability at any particular station or download the entire guide, at www.traintaxi.co.uk.

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Door to Door: a travel guide for disabled people

Going by rail: Access at stations