Disabled access at Cholsey: time for a campaign!

[whole diary]

[Hal]

Cholsey station platforms are currently accessible by stairs only.
There must be many wheelchair-using residents (like my wife) who would use the train if it were possible.
What would be the chances of a campaign to have lifts installed?
How would we go about it?
Goring & Streatley station users' thoughts welcome, their campaign having been successful.

[IndustryInsider]

Always potentially bit tricker at stations with subways.  Logically it would be behind Pangbourne as it doesn’t have as many users and also has more platforms.  Tilehurst is just getting them fitted now - easier job as the fairly new footbridge only requires minor alterations.

Good luck - I’m sure it will eventually happen.

[eightonedee]

At Goring & Streatley, it was the combination of an active local pressure group (MIGG - I think that stood for "Mobility in Goring Gap", but happy to be corrected by anyone who knows better) and the opportunity provided by the announcement that the footbridge at the station would be replaced and the prolonged delay in NR^» (Network Rail - home page) actually getting around to starting work.

I think Cholsey's problem is that you have an underpass, not a footbridge, so lifts as part of a footbridge renewal is not an opportunity that will arise.

[broadgage]

At problematic locations, such as this, would it be possible to provide wheelchair access across the line, similar to the old fashioned "barrow crossing"
Safety could be much improved by use of gates, interlocked with the signalling system, that physically prevent access to the track unless no train is in section, and the relevant signal at danger. Clearing the signal would require visual confirmation that no person was between the gates. This could be done remotely by CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision).

[Electric train]

At problematic locations, such as this, would it be possible to provide wheelchair access across the line, similar to the old fashioned "barrow crossing"
Safety could be much improved by use of gates, interlocked with the signalling system, that physically prevent access to the track unless no train is in section, and the relevant signal at danger. Clearing the signal would require visual confirmation that no person was between the gates. This could be done remotely by CCTV^▸ (Closed Circuit Tele Vision).

Simply no, the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) would not agree to it.

I do not have that much knowledge of Cholsey station, as it has a subway shafts will need to be sunk down to the subway level on the island platform, possibly on the UR platform an external lift shaft can be installed. 

Planning permission will be required, has an application been made to the Local Authority / Parish Council?

The Local Authorities would be a good start to raise the access for all with NR^» (Network Rail - home page) and GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway)

[nickswift99]

Cholsey's problem, in addition to it's design, is the proximity to Didcot, which does have step free access to all platforms.

The argument put forward for not originally installing lifts at Tilehurst was its proximity to Reading.

My personal view is that the railway should provide a free shuttle service (on request) for disabled passengers from stations like these. This could be delivered through a contract with a local Didcot taxi firm. The cost might well be significantly less than infrastructure changes and, if demand for the service is high, then the business case writes itself.

[Oxonhutch]

The irony about Cholsey is that Platform 4 on the Up Relief is near level access with the ramp to the station carpark but no doubt there will be some provision that prevents this easy fix. If it was, a wheelchair bound person or person with mobility issues could enter the London bound platform; and even if they wanted to travel to Didcot and beyond they could travel via Goring and Streatley and use the lifts there to access the correct platform for their onward journey.

[ChrisB]

You wouldn't need planning permission to fit lifts within a station. You might need Listed Building consent however.

For stations that aren't accessible, there already *is* a free taxi service to the nearest accessible service. That is how Access for All on the rails works everywhere

[nickswift99]

That's interesting. Do you have any links to any websites that describes this?

[stuving]

For stations that aren't accessible, there already *is* a free taxi service to the nearest accessible service. That is how Access for All on the rails works everywhere

The "Access for all" programme is about upgrading station facilities; as that's infrastructure it all goes through Network Rail (though the money comes from the government).

The label for operational support is "Passenger Assist", which is a national scheme but implemented and publicised by TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) individually. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) describe theirs on their web site, and in the booklet "Making rail Accessible". The relevant bit of text says:

We can also give you advice about the trains and stations you want to use, and how accessible they are.

If they’re not accessible for you, our Passenger Assist team will talk you through your journey options and find out what support you need. We aim to ensure that you can make as much of your journey by rail as possible.

However, for those parts of the journey where this is not possible, we will arrange alternative transport that is accessible to you, to the nearest or most convenient accessible station, free of charge.

They are rather vague about what that might involve, no doubt because needs vary so much case by case and they prefer not to create a more specific "right".

[ChrisB]

A wheelchair accessible taxi where necessary is provided - but book in advance as they often have to come from some way away.
Yes, I knew it was Passenger Assist - I use them every week. The app is *very* good.

[nickswift99]

For stations that aren't accessible, there already *is* a free taxi service to the nearest accessible service. That is how Access for All on the rails works everywhere

The "Access for all" programme is about upgrading station facilities; as that's infrastructure it all goes through Network Rail (though the money comes from the government).

The label for operational support is "Passenger Assist", which is a national scheme but implemented and publicised by TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) individually. GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) describe theirs on their web site, and in the booklet "Making rail Accessible". The relevant bit of text says:

We can also give you advice about the trains and stations you want to use, and how accessible they are.

If they’re not accessible for you, our Passenger Assist team will talk you through your journey options and find out what support you need. We aim to ensure that you can make as much of your journey by rail as possible.

However, for those parts of the journey where this is not possible, we will arrange alternative transport that is accessible to you, to the nearest or most convenient accessible station, free of charge.

They are rather vague about what that might involve, no doubt because needs vary so much case by case and they prefer not to create a more specific "right".

Thanks. Very helpful. I wonder how many disabled non-rail users are aware of this?

[infoman]

I wonder how many disabled non-rail users are aware of this?

Well lets start putting it on our favourite local train station/s web site/facebook.

[ChrisB]

I have suggested to a couple of operators Accessible Passenger Groups that an "Introduction to Disabled Travel on our Trains" document be formulated and made available across the various outlets already available in various formats.

Everyone who is disabled is newly disabled at some stage.....

[nickswift99]

And those who have been disabled for some time may eventually wish to travel independently.

Rail should be a great opportunity for those who are not able to use other forms of transport.