What is the definition of a "Partial Step Free Access" station that Great Western Railway use?

[capitalconnect]

I was looking at this GWR network map here and have noticed many stations are listed as "Partial Step Free Access" when they actually have full step free access and have had full step free access for years.

Here is the map:

https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/plan-journey/timetables/2021/may/gwr-2021-may-accessibility-map.pdf?la=en

For an example at, Betchworth, Chilworth, Dorking West, Gomshall, Shalford, all have 100% step free access to all platforms. There is full accessibility with no issues. Plus all trains that serve these stations have a Guard onboard to help wheelchair users board and alight. But despite this all five of these stations are shown as "Partial Step Free Access" instead of "Full Step Free Access" so this has really confused me.

My question is what does GWR consider as "Full Step Free Access" and "Partial Step Free Access" and why are these five stations listed as partial? I would think that "Partial Step Free Access" would mean that only certain platforms are step free but all platforms at these five stations are step free? Is this a mistake? Or is there a reason for this?

 

[JamesT]

I was looking at this GWR network map here and have noticed many stations are listed as "Partial Step Free Access" when they actually have full step free access and have had full step free access for years.

Here is the map:

https://www.gwr.com/~/media/gwr/pdfs/plan-journey/timetables/2021/may/gwr-2021-may-accessibility-map.pdf?la=en

For an example at, Betchworth, Chilworth, Dorking West, Gomshall, Shalford, all have 100% step free access to all platforms. There is full accessibility with no issues. Plus all trains that serve these stations have a Guard onboard to help wheelchair users board and alight. But despite this all five of these stations are shown as "Partial Step Free Access" instead of "Full Step Free Access" so this has really confused me.

My question is what does GWR consider as "Full Step Free Access" and "Partial Step Free Access" and why are these five stations listed as partial? I would think that "Partial Step Free Access" would mean that only certain platforms are step free but all platforms at these five stations are step free? Is this a mistake? Or is there a reason for this?

Looking at pictures of some of the named stations I wonder if being able to get between platforms step free is part of the requirement. Whereas some of these it’s a matter of leaving the station and using a nearby road bridge as there’s either no bridge or it has steps within the station.

 

[capitalconnect]

Looking at pictures of some of the named stations I wonder if being able to get between platforms step free is part of the requirement. Whereas some of these it’s a matter of leaving the station and using a nearby road bridge as there’s either no bridge or it has steps within the station.

For both Dorking West and Shalford that is correct. You have to leave the station and go to a nearby road bridge to get between platforms. So going between platforms takes at least five minutes. However at Gomshall there is a footbridge between the platforms with a ramp so it is fully accessible. Then at Betchworth and Chilworth you just simply have to use the level crossing which is located right at the end of the platforms next to the entrances. So i do not think that is the reason.

 

[The Ham]

Another possibility is that platform access is step free, however to board the train requires a step.

 

[capitalconnect]

Another possibility is that platform access is step free, however to board the train requires a step.

I do not think that is it either. Every station on the GWR network requires a step to board the train. That is why ramps are used. In fact almost every station in the UK requires a step to board the train. The only exceptions are some AGA stations on the new Stadler Flirt trains and also the Heathrow stations and Thameslink core stations. So that is definitely not the reason.

 

[A Challenge]

Looking at pictures of some of the named stations I wonder if being able to get between platforms step free is part of the requirement. Whereas some of these it’s a matter of leaving the station and using a nearby road bridge as there’s either no bridge or it has steps within the station.

Does it really matter if you can get to the other platform of a two platform station on the North Downs Line step-free, except at Wokingham or Ash (both level crossings)?

 

[Starmill]

I do not think that is it either. Every station on the GWR network requires a step to board the train. That is why ramps are used. In fact almost every station in the UK requires a step to board the train. The only exceptions are some AGA stations on the new Stadler Flirt trains and also the Heathrow stations and Thameslink core stations. So that is definitely not the reason.

There are a handful of other exceptions such as London St Pancras etc for Thameslink services, Heathrow Airport, and some London Overground services. But it's very very much the exception.

Does it really matter if you can get to the other platform of a two platform station on the North Downs Line step-free, except at Wokingham or Ash (both level crossings)?

It's pretty difficult to see why someone might need to change between platforms at a place like Betchworth.