Ministers have been accused of hiding behind EU rules to avoid fitting lifts into stations without step-free access. Disability campaigners have been told that there is no need to put lifts in stations due to a 2014 EU regulation adopted by the UK.
The regulation dictates that lifts are only compulsory in stations with more than 1,000 daily average passengers or if there is no other step-free station within 31 miles. Despite the UK having left the EU, campaigners believe that ministers are refusing to bin the regulation to avoid the financial outlay that would come from installing lifts in the 1,500 UK stations which do not meet the criteria. Julian Vaughan, chairman of the Bedfordshire Rail Access Network, was told that Harlington station is one such transport hub where there is no obligation to ensure step-free access because of the regulation.
She told Rail Magazine: “Network Rail suggested that Luton Airport Parkway, which is 13 miles away, was suitable. And highlighted that Flitwick, which is one station further up the line, has been allocated funding for step-free access.
“But Flitwick’s project has been delayed for quite a considerable time and currently doesn’t have a start date.”
For wheelchair users without a car, this would require them to pay for a taxi or take three buses, which could take two hours to complete a journey that takes 12 minutes by train.
The Department for Transport has insisted that the regulation does not prevent the installation of lifts but “allows these to be omitted when existing stations are being upgraded or renewed, within very specific, defined circumstances.”
Sarah Gayton, a campaigner for the National Federation of the Blind of the UK, said: “Once again, accessibility on public transport is being completely ignored at a time when the Government wants more people to use trains.
“Allowing Network Rail and the government to hide behind an outdated clause in an appendix of a regulation is absolutely madness. It means that when refusing a lift at a smaller station, they don’t have to explain their decision, they can just say ‘this is the rule’.”
Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Paul Kohler has blasted the situation as absurd, arguing that the regulation is outdated and should be scrapped.
Kohler told Rail Magazine: “The stipulation was previously part of the EU regulations which we adopted in 2014. But incredibly, we didn’t end it when we left in 2016. I couldn’t believe it when I heard about it. It can have real consequences for users and stations, and hinder the access for all programme.”
Of the UK’s approximate 2,600 stations, just under 1,000 have footfalls in excess of 365,000 per year, making it mandatory for step-free access to be installed.
In theory, this means that around 1,500 stations are able to use the EU regulation to avoid installing lifts to allow disabled access.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman told The Times: “Accessibility is an integral part of our rail reforms, and we are committed to enabling all passengers to travel easily, confidently and with dignity. We are working to making it as easy and accessible as possible for everyone to get around through programmes like access for all which has delivered step-free accessible routes at over 260 stations.”