Access for All programme – an overview

Slide 2 Background Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) requires all station operators to take reasonable steps to ensure they do not discriminate against disabled people Department for Transport’s (DfT’s) “Railways for All” strategy sets out plans for improving access at stations at a cost of £378m (£35m p.a.) – to be delivered by Network Rail Investment is over and above commitments made in franchises, ongoing renewal works and major station improvement projects

Slide 3 Aims of the Access for All (AfA) programme DfT has remitted Network Rail to provide, at certain pre-agreed stations: “An unobstructed and obstacle free ‘accessible route’ within Network Rail controlled infrastructure, from at least one station entrance (usually the main one) and all drop-off points associated with that entrance, to each platform and between platforms served by trains.”

Slide 4 What is an Accessible Route? A route for a manually self-propelled wheelchair user to negotiate; A distance, ideally not exceeding 400m, from station entrance (or drop-off point if further) to the appropriate point of entry/ exit of trains at platforms; Meeting all applicable technical standards from the Train and Station Services for Disabled People Code of Practice, except where prior dispensations have been agreed

Slide 5 Possible additional improvements The installation of platform edge tactile paving and provision of access to (but not into) station and retail facilities to be considered on a station by station basis and approved by DfT Access for All Small Schemes funding direct from DfT(£7m p.a. and no more than £250,000 per scheme) – for works to be delivered by Train Operators or Local Authorities Additional 3 rd party funded works

Slide 6 Process for developing station designs Nature of the AfA programme means the schemes are at different stages of development NR & SWT working closely together to develop suitable engineering solutions Feasibility studies carried out to review all possible options Options presented today are the industry preferred solutions

Slide 7 Purpose of the Local Project Group (LPG) To evaluate and discuss the proposed station designs To provide opportunity for engagement with all relevant stakeholders To consider, engage and encourage third-party funding To facilitate, where required, additional meetings with local stakeholders Quarterly LPGs proposed for the duration of the projects