As the UK prepares for the creation of Great British Railways, a new survey by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has revealed the significant barriers faced by blind and partially sighted travellers when using the rail network. The research found that four in five blind and partially sighted people have struggled to navigate the gap between trains and station platforms, with some falling and injuring themselves in the process.
The report highlights the inconsistent experiences of blind and partially sighted passengers, with two-thirds regularly being left stranded at stations when they booked assistance, and three-quarters unable to rely on rail staff for help and information. Additionally, the lack of tactile wayfinding – such as raised bumps and contrasting colours to aid navigation – in British train stations, compared to other European countries and Japan, was identified as a significant issue.
One respondent, Paul Goddard from East Sussex, who was registered blind in 2008, said: “Every time I book assistance through the passenger assistance app when I’m travelling to London Bridge, I’m very anxious because I know the assistance is going to fail. No one meets me. You speak to the gate line staff who are often completely disinterested.” He further noted the difficulty in claiming back money lost on tickets due to failed assistance.
Khadija Raza, a blind disability campaigner, shared her own struggles, stating that in the seven years she had been using trains without friends and family, she had experienced “a very inconsistent experience”. She contrasted her difficulties on the rail network with more positive experiences on the London Underground, which she believed benefited from having a single operator, compared to the separate train and station operators on the rail network.
The RNIB is calling for the government to use the new railway bill to “make sure accessibility is embedded” from the start, ensuring that blind and partially sighted passengers can travel with confidence. Recommendations include providing disability awareness training for all staff, improving station accessibility, and ensuring more informative audio announcements on train journeys.
As the UK’s rail network undergoes significant changes, the needs of blind and partially sighted passengers must be prioritised to ensure an inclusive and accessible public transport system for all.
