The Plan for Rail white paper sets out a vision for a simpler railway that provides passengers with a high-quality, consistent service across England, Scotland and Wales. This vision included a comprehensive suite of accessibility reforms and has provided a unique opportunity to introduce a standardised and consistent approach to accessibility standards across the rail network.
Read the Plan for Rail.
The department is dedicated to delivering the commitments in the Plan for Rail white paper and ensuring that the vision outlined becomes reality. Therefore, as a core commitment, we are formally consulting on the code of practice for design standards for accessible railway stations (the code).
Read the code of practice for design standards for accessible railway stations.
We are seeking the views of individuals and organisations, including the rail industry and passengers, on the current standards as mandated in the code, as well as opportunities to improve them.
This consultation will inform part of the revision process to update design standards for stations in the code. This will include setting out how to make stations more accessible and inclusive for all.
We are interested in views on the whole of the code of practice, but the questions focus on the areas that generate most correspondence and dispensation applications. We have also included some areas which are currently not mandated in the code, such as electric vehicles and additional technology.
At the beginning of the survey, respondents are given the choice to respond to questions either ‘on behalf of an organisation’ or ‘as an individual’. Those that respond ‘on behalf of an organisation’ can also respond separately by accessing the survey again and selecting the ‘as an individual’ option.
There is an opportunity for all respondents to comment on other sections of the code of practice which have not been asked about, as well as expand on any answers, at the end of the survey.
We are asking questions for both individual rail users and organisations.
The organisation questions are aimed at establishing views on technical aspects of the code. We are also seeking views on the dispensation process which applies in instances when operators cannot comply with the standards of the code.
The individual questions are aimed at establishing views on how the standards in the code impact passengers and those who support disabled passengers whilst using railway stations.
The questions that are available to both organisations and individuals are aimed at gathering feedback on current standards and guidance included in the code and other related accessibility considerations.
The design standards for accessible railway stations extend across Great Britain. It is important that they meet the accessibility needs of passengers and are capable of being implemented by the rail industry in England, Scotland and Wales.
We have engaged with stakeholders in all three nations and will continue to work with colleagues in Scotland and Wales to ensure that the voice of the people and organisations they serve is understood during this consultation process. It is for that reason that we encourage your responses to this consultation.
