Closed consultation

Design standards for accessible railway stations: a code of practice

Published 23 August 2023

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Ministerial foreword

Over 14 million people in Great Britain identify as having a disability. For many disabled people, inaccessible transport makes it harder to access opportunities to learn, work, benefit from services and participate in leisure activities. I am committed to deliver the Plan for Rail’s vision to improve accessibility on the railway and transform the experience of disabled passengers and those with additional needs.

Along with an accessibility audit that is already underway, I am committed to consult further on Plan for Rail’s accessibility commitments, including the National Rail Accessibility Strategy, a National Rail Accessible Travel Policy, and an update to the code of practice. The purpose of this consultation on the code of practice is to highlight where station infrastructure improvements could continue to improve accessibility at Great Britain’s railway stations with the intention of reducing ambiguity and simplifying the standards, as part of the wider Plan for Rail vision.

The underlying principle of the code of practice is that whenever work takes place to install, renew or replace rail station infrastructure, opportunities to improve accessibility are recognised and acted upon. This includes meeting current accessibility requirements when carrying out work.

Accessible transport can be the difference between feeling socially isolated or feeling included with the ability to travel with confidence. There is something fundamentally unfair when a disabled passenger is unable to access their local station due to a lack of access. I want to reduce instances where due to a lack of lifts or ramps, a passenger has to travel beyond their local station to travel back again in order to reach the correct, accessible platform.

Some of the common issues relating to accessible travel cannot be solved by design alone. There are much wider cultural, behavioural and societal issues that need addressing. This is the reason why I am launching a public consultation to seek the views of individuals and organisations including passengers and industry who navigate and design our railway.

This consultation will seek to understand the impact of existing accessibility standards, determine what more needs to be done to improve rail accessibility for all users on mainline railway stations across Great Britain and reducing the ambiguity for those in the industry working on station infrastructure improvements. The revision looks to reduce ambiguity and simplify the standards set out in the code of practice to continue protecting the interests of all railway passengers when accessing stations. This includes ensuring the cost associated with changes to infrastructure is in line with achieving best value whilst managing public money.

I am committed to improving access at all stations and will continue to ensure that it is a priority for the government and industry.

Huw Merriman MP
Minister of State for Transport

Executive summary

The Plan for Rail white paper sets out a vision for a simpler railway that provides passengers with a high-quality, consistent service across England, Scotland and Wales. This vision included a comprehensive suite of accessibility reforms and has provided a unique opportunity to introduce a standardised and consistent approach to accessibility standards across the rail network.

Read the Plan for Rail.

The department is dedicated to delivering the commitments in the Plan for Rail white paper and ensuring that the vision outlined becomes reality. Therefore, as a core commitment, we are formally consulting on the code of practice for design standards for accessible railway stations (the code).

Read the code of practice for design standards for accessible railway stations.

We are seeking the views of individuals and organisations, including the rail industry and passengers, on the current standards as mandated in the code, as well as opportunities to improve them.

This consultation will inform part of the revision process to update design standards for stations in the code. This will include setting out how to make stations more accessible and inclusive for all.

We are interested in views on the whole of the code of practice, but the questions focus on the areas that generate most correspondence and dispensation applications. We have also included some areas which are currently not mandated in the code, such as electric vehicles and additional technology.

At the beginning of the survey, respondents are given the choice to respond to questions either ‘on behalf of an organisation’ or ‘as an individual’. Those that respond ‘on behalf of an organisation’ can also respond separately by accessing the survey again and selecting the ‘as an individual’ option.

There is an opportunity for all respondents to comment on other sections of the code of practice which have not been asked about, as well as expand on any answers, at the end of the survey.

We are asking questions for both individual rail users and organisations.

The organisation questions are aimed at establishing views on technical aspects of the code. We are also seeking views on the dispensation process which applies in instances when operators cannot comply with the standards of the code.

The individual questions are aimed at establishing views on how the standards in the code impact passengers and those who support disabled passengers whilst using railway stations.

The questions that are available to both organisations and individuals are aimed at gathering feedback on current standards and guidance included in the code and other related accessibility considerations.

The design standards for accessible railway stations extend across Great Britain. It is important that they meet the accessibility needs of passengers and are capable of being implemented by the rail industry in England, Scotland and Wales.

We have engaged with stakeholders in all three nations and will continue to work with colleagues in Scotland and Wales to ensure that the voice of the people and organisations they serve is understood during this consultation process. It is for that reason that we encourage your responses to this consultation.

Read a full list of the questions we are asking.

Background to the code of practice

Accessibility is a key priority for the government. The Department for Transport (DfT) is committed to improving accessibility at all Great British Railway stations and the code helps to meet this aim, by ensuring that accessibility of railway stations is thought about and included in the design of stations.

The code applies in all public circulation areas within railway stations.

A station is defined in Section 83(1) of the Railways Act 1993 as:

Any land or other property which consists of premises used as, or for the purposes of, or otherwise in connection with, a railway passenger station or railway passenger terminal (including approaches, forecourt, cycle store or car park), whether or not the land or other property is, or the premises are, used for other purposes.

The purpose of the code is to ensure that any infrastructure work at stations makes railway travel easier for disabled passengers. The existing code identifies European and national standards relevant for all passenger train and station operators in Great Britain.

Following the EU exit in January 2021, the code of practice should be read alongside both the:

• Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011
• Persons with Reduced Mobility National Technical Specification Notice (PRM NTSN) published by the Secretary of State

The PRM NTSN addresses the accessibility of the rail system in Great Britain for disabled people and persons with reduced mobility.

Licensed operators, including Network Rail, must follow the code, a condition of their licence, whenever they install, renew or replace infrastructure or facilities.

Findings from this consultation will be used to inform a revision of the code that fulfils the Secretary of State’s responsibility under Section 71(b) of the Railways Act 1993.

The Railways Act specifies that the Secretary of State for Transport shall:

a. prepare and from time-to-time revise

b. publish and otherwise promote the adoption and implementation of a code of practice for protecting the interests of users of railway passenger services or station services who are disabled

Compliance with the code is a requirement of the licence that each train operating company (TOC) and Network Rail has from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR). It applies in all cases, whether it’s new, replacement or renewed infrastructure.

Where an operator is unable to comply with mandated standards in the code, with respect to works at a station, they must apply to DfT for a dispensation. Where they are unable to comply with the National Technical Specification Notice for Persons with Reduced Mobility standards (PRM NTSN), they must apply to DfT for a derogation.

In addition to the standards in the code, as part of their operating licence, passenger train and station operators, including Network Rail are required to establish and comply with an accessible travel policy (ATP). This will state how they will protect the interests of disabled users of their trains and stations. It also commits the operator to meeting their legal obligations in terms of making reasonable adjustments to their services to allow disabled people to use them. For example, by providing an accessible taxi, free of charge, to anyone unable to access a particular station.

The code consultation will support other accessibility commitments outlined in the Plan for Rail. This includes:

• the accessibility audit of all stations in Great Britain, which is already underway
• the publication of a National Rail Accessibility Strategy, which the Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) has already started developing
• a National Rail accessible travel policy as a successor to today’s accessible travel policies, which will be consulted on separately

Definition of ‘disability’

This code assumes the same definition of disability as the Equality Act 2010:

A physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

Definition of ‘accessibility’

For the purposes of the code, accessibility means making travel more inclusive for persons with reduced mobility and persons with disabilities.

How to respond to the consultation

The consultation began on 23 August 2023 and will run until 1 December 2023. Please ensure that your response reaches us before the closing date.

The easiest way to respond is via the online questionnaire. You can find a link to the questionnaire in the Ways to respond section of the GOV.UK home page for this consultation.

If you can’t respond online, there is also a downloadable form plus an email and postal address.

We can provide a version of the response form in an alternative format on request.

When responding, please state whether you are responding as an individual or representing the views of an organisation. If responding on behalf of a larger organisation, please make it clear who the organisation represents and, where applicable, how the views of members were assembled.

What will happen next

We aim to publish a summary of responses, including the next steps, within 3 months of the consultation closing. Paper copies will be available on request.

If you have questions about this consultation, please contact:

Station Enhancements Team RIS
2nd Floor
Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Rd
London
SW1P 4DR

Alternatively, please email codeconsultation@dft.gov.uk.

Full list of consultation questions

These questions are listed here to give you an overview of what we are asking.

See the Ways to respond section of the GOV.UK home page for this consultation for an online response form and other ways to respond.

About you

Question 1: Are you responding as an individual or on behalf of an organisation?

On behalf of an organisation

Question 2: In your experience, are current standards and guidance relating to maximum gradients suitable or not suitable for current railway station use?

Question 3: In your experience, are current standards and guidance relating to lift provisions suitable or not suitable for current railway station use?

Question 4: How does your organisation take into account the effect of lighting and materials regarding glare and reflections (providing details of what, if any, guidance or standards are used)?

Question 5: With regard to tactile wayfinding, what changes, if any, would you suggest to:

• standards and guidance
• training

Question 6: Are the current standards relating to set-down and pick-up points appropriate or not appropriate for current use?

Question 7: Are you clear on the difference between dispensations and derogations?

Question 8: Is the current framework on setting requirements, including monitoring, enforcement, and the dispensation process sufficiently clear and appropriate for use?

Question 9: Have you ever applied for a dispensation?

Question 10: What comments, if any, do you have about the dispensation application process?

Question 11: What changes, if any, would you like to make to the dispensation application form?

Question 12: Are you content or not content with the range of stakeholders that you were required to consult with?

Question 13: When applying did you consult with any additional stakeholders to those required?

Question 14: Were you in contact with the relevant DfT commercial manager before you applied for the dispensation?

As an individual (questions available with this selection)

Question 15: Do you use the railway?

Question 16 (If answer to Q.15 is “no”): Why not?

Question 17: Do you consider yourself to be disabled under the Equality Act 2010?

Question 18 (If answer to Q.17 is “yes”): Select the option or options that apply to you: [Multiple options available]

Question 19: Do you prefer using lifts or ramps?

Question 20: Do you find it easy or difficult to locate the set-down point?

Question 21: Do you use tactile wayfinding when navigating a railway station?

Question 22: In your experience, is tactile wayfinding useful or not useful when navigating a railway station?

Question 23: Do you think that level crossings should be considered or not considered for use as part of a step-free, obstacle-free route where it is safe and practicable to do so?

Question 24: Do you find it easy distinguishing between walls, floors, and different surfaces due to glare and reflections in railway stations?

Questions available to organisations and individuals

Question 25: Do you think that the current standards and guidance provide a sufficient number of accessible car parking spaces at railway stations?

Question 26: Do you think that there should or should not be a mandatory standard relating to the provision of accessible electric vehicle charging bays?

Question 27: Are the current standards and guidance in this section appropriate or not appropriate for current use (including the provision of changing places facilities)?

Question 28: Are the current standards and guidance in this section appropriate or not appropriate for current use?

Question 29: With regard to tactile wayfinding, are the following appropriate or not appropriate for current use?

• standards and guidance
• training

Question 30: In your view, do the current standards and guidance relating to tactile wayfinding provide the right level of accessibility for disabled people?

Question 31: Do you think that all footbridges should be covered, not covered or covered in some circumstances?

Question 32: In which circumstances?

Question 33: In which of these scenarios do you think it might be best for footbridges to remain uncovered:

• roof covering (canopy) over part of the platform
• no roof covering (canopy)
• no roof covering (canopy) but has a sheltered waiting area

Question 34: Do you think that current standards and guidance relating to lift provision provide the right level of accessibility for all passengers?

Question 35: In your view do the current standards relating to signage provide the right level of accessibility for disabled people?

Question 36: How, in your view, might mobile applications and other digital technology be used to support the passenger travel experience for disabled people (including examples)?

Additional commentary (available to organisations and individuals)

Question 37: Provide any further commentary on any of the sections in the code of practice: design standards for accessible railway stations, specifying the section or sections where relevant.

Question 38: Any other comments?

Consultation principles

The consultation is being conducted in line with the government’s key consultation principles which are listed below. You can find further information the government’s consultation principles.

If you have any comments about the consultation process, please contact:

Consultation Co-ordinator
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
London
SW1P 4DR

Email: consultation@dft.gov.uk

Freedom of information

Information provided in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004.

If you want information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please be aware that, under the FOIA, there is a statutory code of practice with which public authorities must comply and which deals, amongst other things, with obligations of confidence.

In view of this it would be helpful if you could explain to us why you regard the information you have provided as confidential. If we receive a request for disclosure of the information, we will take full account of your explanation, but we cannot give an assurance that confidentiality can be maintained in all circumstances. An automatic confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT system will not, of itself, be regarded as binding on the department.

The department will process your personal data in accordance with the Data Protection Act (DPA) and in the majority of circumstances this will mean that your personal data will not be disclosed to third parties.

Data protection

DfT is carrying out this consultation to gather evidence on the code of practice.

Although this consultation is not requesting any specific personal data, if your answers contain any information that allows you to be identified, DfT will, under data protection law, be the controller for this information. This consultation and the processing of personal data that it entails is necessary for the exercise of our functions as a government department.

DfT’s privacy policy has more information about your rights in relation to your personal data, how to complain and how to contact the Data Protection Officer.

If responding to this consultation online, your personal data will be processed on behalf of the department by SmartSurvey, which runs the survey collection software. Your personal data will not be shared with any other third parties, even those employed for the purpose of analysis. We will not use personal details that could identify you when we report the results of this consultation.

Any information you provide will be kept securely and destroyed within 12 months of the closing date. Any information provided through the online questionnaire will be moved to our internal systems within two months of consultation period end date.