Watchdog takes Equality Act steps against government over rail access

[whole diary]

[CyclingSid]

Haven't seen if this has been put elsewhere:

https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/watchdog-takes-equality-act-steps-against-government-over-rail-access/

As always will be interesting to see what, if anything, happens as a result.

[Marlburian]

There's always the difficult equation of cost versus benefit. Which stations should have lifts, for example.

As I become older and more doddery, I prefer stairs to escalators and lifts (even decades ago I used to run up the emergency stairs at Lambeth North tube station), but perhaps in a few years' time I shall welcome lifts being available.

[grahame]

There's always the difficult equation of cost versus benefit. Which stations should have lifts, for example.

An excellent question. What about these?

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[CyclingSid]

I think the issue isn't just the hardware, but the software and the peopleware. It has been reported elsewhere the people with visual disabilities are particularly concerned. I have also seen examples of what might be thought of as "bloodymindedness" at staffed stations where station staff have stood there and watched the guard/train manager find a deploy the on-train ramp (of a standard train that runs through that station).

At risk of inciting trouble, what it needs is one of the disability groups to organise wheel chair users at every unmanned station on a DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) line and see what that does for the time keeping.

[Electric train]

There's always the difficult equation of cost versus benefit. Which stations should have lifts, for example.

An excellent question. What about these?

1.


2.


3.


4.


5.


6.

These are all valid restricted access stations, NR^» (Network Rail - home page) and the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s have a programme to update station and train access agreed based on demand / usage with the ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road, formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) and DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) who are the Regulator and funder, the DfT also has influence over local authorities who one of the funders for upgrading station access.

I can see why the EHRC are raising their concerns with the ORR and DfT because these 2 control the money

[ellendune]

The issue that EHCR is making though is staffing.  If there is a lift so that a wheelchair user can get to the platform, but they still cannot get on the train because there is no one to put a ramp in place then the lifts are a waste of money!

[grahame]

The issue that EHCR is making though is staffing.  If there is a lift so that a wheelchair user can get to the platform, but they still cannot get on the train because there is no one to put a ramp in place then the lifts are a waste of money!

I stand corrected for going off on a side-topic.   Great fun looking at picture of step-only stations and wondering at what level alternatives should be provided - pictures ranging from Northolt (where I think something may be being done or has been done) through to Denton where on current service the cost per use would be eye-watering.

At risk of inciting trouble, what it needs is one of the disability groups to organise wheel chair users at every unmanned station on a DOO^▸ (Driver-Only Operation (that is, trains which operate without carrying a guard)) line and see what that does for the time keeping.

I'm in two minds about that.  With - let's say - an event for wheelchair users at the destination and maximised publicity. And I wonder about pre-publicity so that TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) has the opportunity to deploy staff to mitigate delays?   

As an IT Training business, we were more than happy to train people in wheelchairs and with other limitations and on numerous occasions went out of our way to do so.  However, I also recall being very, very hurt when "tested" by an organisation who - well, let''s not mince words, lied about their requirement and had us make considerable changes / allowances at the most awkward point in our schedule, at considerable trouble to other delegates and at extra time and money cost ... just to admit at the last minute that "you passed our test - well done - but we have no intention of taking up the place".  I think we were supposed to be pleased that we had passed ...