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You are here: Home / Rail / Accessibility on the Rails in the UK – There’s a map for that

Accessibility on the Rails in the UK – There’s a map for that

03/05/2019 by Kevincm

A lot of us take it for granted we can access rail services with ease. For those who have different requirements (such as wheelchairs, parents with babies) sometimes using the trains can be more unhelpful than not.

Thankfully the UK Rail Delivery Group acknowledges this, and have developed a new map to help those who need to travel independently.

The map is at http://accessmap.nationalrail.co.uk/

It includes information about stations if they have:

  • step-free access/partial step free access
  • What facilities are one site such as accessible toilets, changing facilities
  • Options of nearest stations if there are no facilities that can help them

Let’s look at some examples from the map

a map with red pins

As you can see – it’s pretty well covered. There’s also a decent bit of information about connectivity too

a screenshot of a phone

Let’s pick on the Heathrow Stations. There’s a few less things, but its accessible – which for a major introduction in the UK – is a helpful thing.

a map with a location on it
Terminal 5 

a map with a white sign on it

Let’s wander beyond London. Again, I’ve picked a major station – Nottingham – and this is well equipped

a map of a city

Checking a region out of the area Long Eaton – it’s a lot more… simpler.

a map of a city

Meanwhile some stations in London are not friendly at all. Let’s look at Wandsworth Town

a map with a location and a location tag

As you can see – it’s very facilities-lite, with the map suggesting to travel to Clapham Junction or Richmond if you’re taking a Wheelchair. If you’re looking for other facilities – it’s a little sparse.

Information is key

Being forewarned is forearmed when travelling – in any situation. With travellers who have different needs, knowing what assistance is there – be it in the forms of lifts, steps and facilities will help aid travel, and allow for independent travel where possible, and where to reach out to train operators when assistance is needed.

It’s a great initiative to open up the railway, and one that needs support as it strives to open up.

You can explore the map at http://accessmap.nationalrail.co.uk/

Images – National Rail Access Map, OpenStreetMap with National Rail Data Layer.


Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.

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