Transcript Access for All – an overview

Access for All programme
– an overview
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 2
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 3
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 4
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 3rd party funded works
Slide 5
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 6
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
Slide 7