Department for Transport

Improving accessibility on the railways
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date 21 Aug 2008 11:19
source Department for Transport
type Press release

note DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (139) issued by The Government News Network on 21 August 2008

Rail Minister Tom Harris MP visits Glasgow's Mount Florida station today (Thursday 21 August) to announce five more stations in Scotland are set to benefit from the Government's £370m Access for All scheme.

Easterhouse, Hyndland, Linlithgow, Montrose and Perth stations are the latest stations to benefit from Access for All funding, which will pay for improvements to accessibility, such as ensuring step-free access from the station entrance to platforms.

Access for All was launched in 2006 to address the issues faced by disabled passengers using railway stations in Great Britain. £35m per year, until 2015, is ring-fenced for the provision of obstacle free, accessible routes into and between platforms at rail stations.

Rail Minister Tom Harris said:

"We want to encourage more people to travel by train, so it is important we ensure the rail network is accessible to everyone.

"Lifts, step-free access, more disabled parking and improved information signs will make a huge improvement to people's journeys and will give disabled people greater access to employment opportunities as well as social and leisure activities."

Tom Harris today also launched a new Code of Practice on Accessible Train and Station Design for Disabled Passengers to introduce a single set of design standards across the entire rail network. The Code will help ensure access and safety for disabled passengers and will provide guidance for train and station operators providing examples of best practice.

Tom Harris added:

"This Code will establish a basic level of accessibility right across the rail network. It provides a clear set of standards that disabled passengers can expect to be met and the examples of best practice will show operators how they can go the extra mile in helping passengers with reduced mobility."

Ron McAulay, Network Rail Director, Scotland said: "We're pleased that the funding has now been put in place to carry out these essential station improvements and we look forward to completing this work with the minimum of disruption to passengers."

Mary Grant, managing director of First ScotRail, the train operator, said: "It is very good news that five more Scottish stations will benefit from the Access for All scheme."

Notes to editors:

1. Location details for Mount Florida http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=258490&y=661593&z=1& ;sv=258490,661593&st=4&ar=Y&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearc h.srf

2. The Scottish stations currently receiving improvements funded by Access for All are: Barrhead, Cupar, Dalmuir, Kirkcaldy, Motherwell, Mount Florida, Rutherglen, Stirling.

3. The Code of Practice on Station Design is published in line with implementation of the EU's Interoperability Directive. The Code can be viewed here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/access/cop

4. Further information on the Access for All scheme, including a full list of the stations already allocated funding, can be found here: http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/rail/railstations /access/accessforallstations

5. For air passengers, a new European regulation on air travel requires airports to provide services that enable disabled passengers to board, disembark and transit between flights. The regulation will also apply to people with reduced mobility, such as someone with a broken leg, and will give a right to assistance once on the plane. Full details from http://www.dft.gov.uk or http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/yourright s/rightsindifferentsettings/transport/Pages/AirTravel.aspx

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

Railhub Archive ::: 2008-08-21 DfT-001