Which stations could be made more accessible, and how would you do it?

[24Grange]

Would probably be more cost effective to bulldoze Polsloe and start again? With a ramp. Next nearest stations ( St James) and Digby have ramps, I believe? - or site it nearer Exmouth Junction ( near the signal) on the other side of the road where the embankment isn't so steep?

 

[The exile]

Would probably be more cost effective to bulldoze Polsloe and start again? With a ramp. Next nearest stations ( St James) and Digby have ramps, I believe? - or site it nearer Exmouth Junction ( near the signal) on the other side of the road where the embankment isn't so steep?

I believe long ramps no longer satisfy the regulations.
For an “ interesting “ one - how about Avoncliff? Not only is the station not PRM accessible, the sole access to the station is in itself a PRM challenge ( and outside the railway’s control).
Guessing one of the big things to come out of this will be level access to trains - which seems to be way behind step-free access to platforms. I hope that platform heights have been sorted out before lifts etc were installed!

 

[Parallel]

I believe long ramps no longer satisfy the regulations.
For an “ interesting “ one - how about Avoncliff? Not only is the station not PRM accessible, the sole access to the station is in itself a PRM challenge ( and outside the railway’s control).
Guessing one of the big things to come out of this will be level access to trains - which seems to be way behind step-free access to platforms. I hope that platform heights have been sorted out before lifts etc were installed!

Yes, I was going to suggest Avoncliff. A fairly long set of steps going from the aqueduct to both platforms, and the ramp up from ground level to the platform I’d imagine is also too steep, at least for wheelchairs. To be fair, the station is deep in a valley and access to the hamlet from the nearby villages of Westwood or Turleigh isn’t the most forgiving as it is!

Exeter St Thomas, Thornford and Chetnole are other stations that have no step free access to the platforms.

 

[yorksrob]

Another way to boost inclusivity would be to ensure that all staffed stations had access to toilet facilities for all.

Coming back to the point, I can't see anyone paying to make Doleham accessible.

 

[Falcon1200]

Crosshill, on the Cathcart Circle, has a narrow, curved island platform with the only access being steps from an overbridge at one end. Providing step-free access would certainly be a challenge.....

 

[Aictos]

Another way to boost inclusivity would be to ensure that all staffed stations had access to toilet facilities for all.

I can't ever see the likes of Watton At Stone, Arlesey, Crews Hill, Bayford to name just a handful of stations served by Great Northern and Thameslink ever having toilets.

Sorry to burst your bubble there....

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

It's hard to get a wheelchair out of Bulwell station.

 

[GALLANTON]

Crosshill, on the Cathcart Circle, has a narrow, curved island platform with the only access being steps from an overbridge at one end. Providing step-free access would certainly be a challenge.....

There's quite a few stations in Glasgow that limited or even zero wheelchair accesibility.

 

[Retorus]

They really need to sort out Biggleswade access, that bridge has been used as an excuse for too long.

 

[Aictos]

They really need to sort out Biggleswade access, that bridge has been used as an excuse for too long.

I agree, something like at St Neots with lifts to both island platforms and a gateline on the footbridge with a right of way being kept on the unpaid side of the gateline would be just what Biggleswade needs.

 

[urbophile]

There's a big difference between accessible platforms and accessible boarding. I should think that most stations (money permitting) could be made to have accessible platforms, even those perched on embankments. However achieving level boarding would be a far greater challenge.

Strangely, my local station Cressington on Merseyrail, has had the platforms modified – along with the rest of the network - to allow accessible boarding when the new trains come into use. There is also an accessible toilet on the upper level. But the only way of reaching the platforms from street level is by stairs. If lifts are planned I'm not aware of any announcement and it will doubtless take a year or two from such before they are ready.

 

[Falcon1200]

There's quite a few stations in Glasgow that limited or even zero wheelchair accesibility.

True, many of the other island platforms on the Cathcart Circle are challenging too, eg Pollokshields East.