Network Rail to boost accessibility with dedicated waiting lounge and Changing Places facility
Network Rail has announced that it will launch a new dedicated waiting lounge is coming to Liverpool’s Lime Street station to help passengers who need help to get on and off trains.
The facility will give passengers a dedicated waiting lounge to make travelling by train a more pleasant experience.
The space will provide a quiet and welcoming waiting area for passengers with additional mobility and sensory needs, with a dedicated team on hand to help.
The lounge also includes accessible seating with integrated space for wheelchairs, a staffed welcome desk, British Sign Language (BSL) information screens, and an accredited Changing Places toilet facility to provides sanitary accommodation for people with multiple and complex disabilities who have one or two assistants with them.
Kyla Thomas, Liverpool Lime Street’s station manager said: “Changing Places facilities play a crucial role in all train stations and as a key transport hub, it will be a massive benefit to Liverpool Lime Street.
“It will ensure people with complex physical needs can travel with dignity, comfort, and independence. I am looking forward to this being installed along with the assisted travel lounge facilities.”
Major train operators which serve Liverpool Lime Street have welcomed the opening of the new Assisted Travel Lounge for their customers.
Andrea Thomas, Avanti West Coast station manager at Liverpool Lime Street, said: “Changing Places toilets enable more people to use the railway safely and comfortably by giving them greater access to the equipment they need.
It’s great Liverpool Lime Street is benefiting from these facilities, as it will improve the experience and offer more journey opportunities for customers travelling on our network.”
Network Rail signed an agreement with Muscular Dystrophy UK to deliver the facility to Liverpool Lime Street station by the summer of 2025.
Rob Burley, director of Care, Campaigns and Support at Muscular Dystrophy UK, said: “We’re delighted that Network Rail is opening a Changing Places toilet at Liverpool Lime Street demonstrating a real commitment to opening up the rail network to as many people as possible.
“We know that without Changing Places toilets, an estimated 250,000 people across the UK, including many with a muscle wasting and weakening condition, are forced to limit their journeys and may even feel unable to travel outside of their home.
“Muscular Dystrophy UK is proud to co-chair the Changing Places Consortium and to have worked with the team at Network Rail to make this possible.”
A new accessible Changing Places toilet was recently opened at Lancaster Railway Station to ensure disabled people and carers have access to a dedicated space and changing facility.
