Trivia: Platforms which have lost their step free access.

[busestrains]

Up until a couple of years ago in 2019 Newhaven Harbour was 100% step free access to both platforms. So wheelchair users could use both of the platforms without any issue. Then they decided to close the level crossing which means that the Northbound platform is only accessible via the footbridge and there is no way to access the Northbound platform without going over the footbridge. So the station has gone from being 100% accessible to being just 50% accessible as only the Southbound platform has step free access now.

My question is has anything like this ever happened anywhere else? Are there any other platforms (or even entire stations) in the UK that have lost their step free access?

 

[The exile]

Up until a couple of years ago in 2019 Newhaven Harbour was 100% step free access to both platforms. So wheelchair users could use both of the platforms without any issue. Then they decided to close the level crossing which means that the Northbound platform is only accessible via the footbridge and there is no way to access the Northbound platform without going over the footbridge. So the station has gone from being 100% accessible to being just 50% accessible as only the Southbound platform has step free access now.

My question is has anything like this ever happened anywhere else? Are there any other platforms (or even entire stations) in the UK that have lost their step free access?

There are plenty which have lost their status as fully accessible from street to platform as the regulations about what constitutes an accessible ramp (slope, length etc) have changed - but that’s not quite the same.

 

[Dr Hoo]

The steady removal of ‘barrow crossings’ over the years (often accompanied by station staffing reductions) has made this issue quite common. Although as noted above the gradient of platform end ramps usually meant that they were ‘non compliant’ anyway.

The removal of parcels/luggage lifts at stations like Pokesdown had a similar effect.

 

[TUC]

The steady removal of ‘barrow crossings’ over the years (often accompanied by station staffing reductions) has made this issue quite common. Although as noted above the gradient of platform end ramps usually meant that they were ‘non compliant’ anyway.

The removal of parcels/luggage lifts at stations like Pokesdown had a similar effect.

Is the impact of such closures upon accessibility requirements taken into account when making such decisions?

 

[Dr Hoo]

Is the impact of such closures upon accessibility requirements taken into account when making such decisions?

It didn't seem to, historically, from my experience back in BR days when many such 'closures' were made.