Disabled rail passengers will benefit from a £20 million fund to boost accessibility, the Department for Transport (DfT) said.

Railway station operators will be able to bid for a share of the investment for small-scale improvements such as textured paving, handrails and raising platform heights.

Accessibility Minister Nusrat Ghani said: “While many take for granted the ability to travel easily from A to B, access for the fifth of people who identify as disabled can be far from straightforward.

“We want disabled people to travel easily, confidently and without extra cost, which is why it is fantastic to be opening this fund today.

“I look forward to seeing what ideas the industry has for accessibility improvements as we work towards a more inclusive rail network.”

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Measures such as lifts and adjustable ticket counters are already being installed at 73 stations as part of the Government’s £300 million Access for All fund.

John Welsman, policy lead at charity Guide Dogs, said: “Guide Dogs welcomes the additional funding as independent train travel is a real challenge for people living with sight loss.

It’s 1 year since #InclusiveTransport Strategy launched.

We joined John from @guidedogs on his journey into London to find out how changes being made by #AccessForAll funding will help disabled passengers.

Find out more 👉 https://t.co/JXP3qtaM1n pic.twitter.com/wLYG9uYhok

— Dept for Transport (@transportgovuk) July 8, 2019

“Elements like tactile paving on platform edges and steps, better signage, improved lighting and colour contrast, will make stations easier to negotiate confidently and more safely.

“However train travel is still a very complex environment for people with sight loss and we will continue to work to find solutions so that no one with sight loss is left out of life.”
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