TRIVIA - Stations that aren't accessible to people with reduced mobility

Highlandspring · 20 Feb 2019

181 said:
I'm fairly certain that there are no steps at Corrour -- access to the platform is via a level crossing over the loop (which is no longer used as a running line). You'd need an all-terrain wheelchair to get very far from the station, though.

I seem to remember once seeing a station poster at Rannoch which said (correctly but not very helpfully) that Corrour was the nearest station with step-free access. It didn't have any suggestions for how a mobility-impaired passenger could get there, though. (Maybe by Argocat?)

I did actually check Corrour on the ScotRail website as it has a barrow crossing amd ramped access but this is what it says:

In common with many stations in Scotland the platform surface is chuckies so presumably that, as well as the general locale, is a factor in why it’s deemed non wheelchair accessible.

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Esker-pades · 21 Feb 2019

user1234 said:
The online version is here - https://tfwrail.wales/sites/tfwrail.wales/files/2018-10/Accessibility Map A4 241018 v6.pdf - on this link.

Brilliant. Thank you very much.

Highlandspring said:
I did actually check Corrour on the ScotRail website as it has a barrow crossing amd ramped access but this is what it says:

View attachment 59463

In common with many stations in Scotland the platform surface is chuckies so presumably that, as well as the general locale, is a factor in why it’s deemed non wheelchair accessible.

Kildonan has a similar platform surface, and yet it is deemed accessible. Not sure what the angle of ramp from platform to train would be like.
(The poor quality picture is from the noticeboard at Kildonan station saying that the nearest accessible station to Kildonan is Kildonan.)

rich r · 21 Feb 2019

As others have said, it's a huge number. There are many, many stations where there's only footbridge to platforms that aren't adjacent to the station entrance. Also due to increased traffic, some of these stations no longer offer accompanied access across the lines as there isn't a long enough gap between trains. So you've no option but to travel to a different station by car/bus if you want to go in the other direction.

Bletchleyite · 21 Feb 2019

Tring
Cheddington other than the down fast, but I'm including it because the down fast is not timetabled for passenger use, it is only used when engineering work precludes the use of the regular platforms.
Aughton Park

If you're interested in inaccessible platforms at stations, Bletchley P6, which means at certain times the Bedford service is inaccessible. I assume BR left it out of the footbridge work because they anticipated closing it.

RichJF · 21 Feb 2019

Deleted

Highlandspring · 21 Feb 2019

RichJF said:
East Grinstead.
Easily accessible to platform 2

The original question is asking for stations which have no access to all platforms for people of reduced mobility whatsoever.

GW43125 · 21 Feb 2019

Virginia Water had no wheelchair access to any platform except 1 (Up Reading) until about a year or two ago, as the old bridge had no lifts (that bridge was a death trap in the wet)

TBY-Paul · 21 Feb 2019

Billingham currently only has a footbridge, but I think there are plans for lifts to be installed.

faltskog36abba · 21 Feb 2019

Mossley and Marsden and Greenfield all have/had problems with reaching one side of the platforms. I haven't been to these stations in a while, But I remember reading in the paper a few years ago- A passenger who wished to alight at Mossley had to continue to Huddersfield and get the next one back.

61653 HTAFC · 22 Feb 2019

faltskog36abba said:
Mossley and Marsden and Greenfield all have/had problems with reaching one side of the platforms. I haven't been to these stations in a while, But I remember reading in the paper a few years ago- A passenger who wished to alight at Mossley had to continue to Huddersfield and get the next one back.

Marsden only has step free access to platform 3, which is on the loop and hasn't been used regularly since the May '18 timetable change due to the low speed turnout onto the loop. Platform 3 is currently being used while platform 2 is having its height raised. Slaithwaite is technically step free to both platforms, but the access to the westbound platform is up the cobbled entrance to the car park, which a wheelchair might struggle with.

Matt_pool · 22 Feb 2019

West Allerton - there's a large step down from the ticket office to the footbridge where it's step only access to all 4 platforms.

If you are in a wheelchair you would have to go down to Liverpool South Parkway which has lifts. Mossley Hill has wheelchair accessible ramps down onto the platforms, but due to the large step height up from the platform to the train doors you would really struggle with a ramp to get onto the train.

reytomas1228 · 22 Feb 2019

Moorgate has to be the largest National Rail station with no step-free access. Even with Crossrail works, the Great Northern platforms will continue to be inaccessible.

matacaster · 22 Feb 2019

Midfield island platform access requires climbing a fairly arduous set of stairs which might be avoided by the elderly let alone wheelchair users (who appear to have no chance whatsoever).

61653 HTAFC · 22 Feb 2019

matacaster said:
Mirfield island platform access requires climbing a fairly arduous set of stairs which might be avoided by the elderly let alone wheelchair users (who appear to have no chance whatsoever).

I believe ticketing easements are in place allowing doubling-back... not much help if you don't know in advance and are heading off to London on GC.

Andyjs247 · 23 Feb 2019

Butlers Lane. Seperate stepped access to each platform from the eponymous road where it crosses over the line at an overbridge. The platforms of the original halt were constructed fairly cheaply from sleepers, I believe in the 1950s. There used to be a barrow crossing too. That and the wooden platforms went when the station was rebuilt when the Cross-City line was electrified. No footbridge as the road bridge is deemed sufficient. Not really any space to provide accessible ramps. Lifts could be an option but not really much point as the road itself and pavements leading to the station are quite narrow.

I’m sure there are many more stations like this. Nearby Four Oaks has similar access from the road to the central island platform, but at a shallower angle so it can be step free. Otherwise there is a footbridge (no lifts) to access the Birmingham-bound platform and ticket office from the car park. The step free route is 400m according to national rail - my disabled mother would struggle.

fairysdad · 23 Feb 2019

Stoneleigh and Motspur Park are the two that spring instantly to my mind, both island platforms accessed solely by a footbridge. (Although one of them is much more structural than the other!)

Envy123 · 23 Feb 2019

New Southgate only has stairs to both platforms. No lifts or ramps.

AY1975 · 25 Feb 2019

30907 said:
Bickley, Shortlands, Kent House, West Dulwich, Brixton.... loads in S London.

Yes, and several on the Windsor Lines too: Queenstown Road, Wandsworth Town, Barnes, North Sheen, St Margarets.

Spamcan81 · 25 Feb 2019

Then there are stations with disabled access to platforms but not between platforms. E.g. Arlesey has wheel chair ramps to both up and down platforms from the respective dropping off points but access between platforms is by footbridge.

mde · 25 Feb 2019

Highlandspring said:
In common with many stations in Scotland the platform surface is chuckies so presumably that, as well as the general locale, is a factor in why it’s deemed non wheelchair accessible.

Wasn't the platform surface at Corrour replaced with something more suitable a few years back? The pictures there aren't great, but, it is described as "durable non slip surface decking".

Curiously, however; there is a picture on the Sleeper site which seems to contradict this - the question is, which one is current?

LOL The Irony · 25 Feb 2019

Northwich southbound platform. The foot crossing closed a few years back and wheelchair access is now obtained by going via Greenbank.

Springs Branch · 26 Feb 2019

On the Atherton line, most of the stations between Wigan and Salford Crescent are not accessible in either direction:
Ince
Hindley
Daisy Hill
Walkden
Moorside
Swinton

Exceptions are Atherton (lift) and Hag Fold (ramps).

infobleep · 26 Feb 2019

Berrylands, Hinchley Wood, Sutton Common, West Sutton all have no step free access.

How about Denton and Reddish South. Surely two stations crying out for a lift to be installed. They are island platforms so you could get away with just the one!

On a more serious note, Dorking Deepdene has no lifts and is steps only. Dorking West however is step free. There use to be a sign at Dorking Deepdene pointing this out.

Alas the service from Dorking West isn't as good, one every two hours off peak, so you could be waiting a while for your next train. Dorking Deepdene however is better for Dorking Main, providing one able to exit Dorking Deepdene OK.

Cricketer8for9 · 26 Feb 2019

Purley Oaks and South Croydon. Both would not be easy to make accessible. Technically the v rarely used platform 1 at South Croydon does, but platform to train step is huge (Line is canted away from platform and on a curve.)

urpert · 26 Feb 2019

Andrew1395 said:
Bushey, all six platforms (two on London Overground DC lines, four on WCML) only accessible up flights of stairs. Mind you it only had 1.5 million visits - 500,000 more than Hampton Court Royal Palace. More people visit Bushey station than many top visitor attractions. I wonder if It is the busiest without any adaptions to improve accessibility?

Shortlands is busier - a whisker short of 1.6 million in the last set of data.

urpert · 26 Feb 2019

Penge West southbound has no step-free access at all.

Vinnym · 26 Feb 2019

Slightly off topic, I travelled Chester to Liverpool Lime Street last Friday. Noticed a blind person being assisted onto the train by a Merseyrail member of staff, I think it was at Rock Ferry. The member of staff helped the person to a seat on the front carriage and travelled with the blind person to the next station where the staff member got off. The passenger got off at Lime Street and was met by another Merseyrail staff member who got on the train helped the passenger off and assisted him to the lift. Well done Merseyrail staff I was impressed with the help that was given.

Dr_Paul · 27 Feb 2019

North Sheen, just a footbridge for access to an island platform. There used to be a barrow crossing allowing level access across the up line to the platform. I was taken across it in a pram when I was a tiny kid, not that I can remember this.

thenorthern · 27 Feb 2019

A large number of stations are such as Longton, Ardwick and others.

Metal_gee_man · 28 Feb 2019

Falconwood
Snowdon
Both have steps from road level down into steep cuttings down to platform level

TRIVIA - Stations that aren't accessible to people with reduced mobility

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