124 rail stations nationwide to receive £20m accessibility improvement funding
Announced by the Department for Transport (DfT), 124 rail stations across Great Britain are set to receive a share of a new £20 million government fund for accessibility improvements such as new lifts, accessible toilets and customer information screens.
Funded through the Government’s Access for All programme, the new accessibility improvements are designed to improve the passenger experience. Since 2006, the Access for All programme has helped make over 200 stations step-free.
In April 2019, the programme provided a £300 million funding boost to 73 stations in the UK to help make them more accessible to elderly and disabled people.
Now, the new £20 million fund comes as a new government campaign launched this week to improve the journeys of disabled passengers on public transport.
The campaign highlights how everyone can play a part in making public transport inclusive, which is being supported by more than 100 partners including WHSmith Travel and the Alzheimer’s Society.
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.”
Alongside the new campaign, DfT has also launched its Inclusive Transport Leaders scheme, an accreditation scheme which will promote best practice in inclusive transport.
Operators are encouraged to sign up to the new 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 support the government’s ambition of achieving equal access for all on public transport.
Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson commented: “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.”
https://thiis.co.uk/124-rail-stations-nationwide-to-receive-20m-government-funding-boost-for-accessibility-improvements/https://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Greater-Anglia-Trains-e1608129192977.jpghttps://thiis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Greater-Anglia-Trains-150x150.jpgGovernment & Local AuthoritiesInvestments & FundingNewsroomSector NewsAccess for All,accessible toilets,Department for Transport,DfT,Grant Shapps,Inclusive Transport Strategy,Justin Tomlinson,railway stations,railway stations accessibilityAnnounced by the Department for Transport (DfT), 124 rail stations across Great Britain are set to receive a share of a new £20 million government fund for accessibility improvements such as new lifts, accessible toilets and customer information screens. Funded through the Government’s Access for All programme, the new accessibility...Sarah SarsbySarah Sarsbysarah@thiis.co.ukEditorTHIIS Magazine