Call for Evidence – Future of Rail in London
Transport for All
The London Assembly Transport Committee have launched an investigation into the future of rail in London to...
The London Assembly Transport Committee have launched an investigation into the future of rail in London to consider how rail capacity, frequency and reliability can be improved. The committee have called for views and information to inform their recommendations.
At Transport for All (TfA), we have been vocal about improving London’s rail network for the benefit of Disabled and older people through our Rail Access Now campaign.
Over the years we have heard many stories from our members about the barriers they face using trains. We have been disappointed to see rail become one mode of transport going backwards in terms of accessibility in recent years, with the attack on our right to Turn-Up-And-Go and unstaffed stations leaving Disabled and older passengers stranded on platforms and carriages without any assistance.
Recently, we joined Save Access at Brentford Station in protesting the decision of South Western Railway to scrap their “no guard on board, no train” policy, leading to the possibility of trains running without a guard on board.
That’s why it is vital that TfA members and supporters submit their evidence and experiences. The committee want to know what the challenges are for London’s rail network and what improvements would bring the most benefits to Londoners. We want the committee to hear exactly how the rail network is becoming increasingly inaccessible for London’s Disabled passengers and what improvements would benefit you.
Our demands:
Let’s tell them why the future of rail in London needs to be accessible to all by making these demands:
- Increase funding to make more Railway stations fully accessible (including the urgent need to restore Access for All funding)
- Small and medium-sized scooters must be allowed on all trains
- Stop staff cuts, either on board trains or at stations
- Ensure Turn-Up-And-Go assistance at every train and stations for Disabled and older people
- All railway staff receive Disability Equality Training delivered by a specialist trainer
- All station upgrades fully consult with Disabled and older people from the outset
- Taxis provided where a station is inaccessible and that this policy is advertised
- Meet the 2020 target for all trains to be fully accessible with working accessible facilities (including toilets)
- Ensure working audio-visual announcements are on every train and platform
- Devolution of London’s rail network to bring it under the control of Transport for London
Take action – share your views now
Transport for All will respond to this consultation. If you would like to contribute to our response, please email us your feedback by Tuesday 24th July: joshua [at] transportforall [dot] org [dot] uk
The key questions are:
- What are the main challenges for London’s rail network?
- What are likely to be the future challenges over the next two decades?
- How is demand on the rail network likely to change?
- What rail and station improvements would bring most benefits to Londoners?
- Does the Mayor’s Transport Strategy address London’s future rail needs?
- What innovative approaches to improving the frequency, capacity and reliability of rail services, could be applied to London?
- By email: TransportCommittee@london.gov.uk
- By post: Grace Pollard, London Assembly, City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, London SE1 2AA
Please respond to the call for evidence. Your response will help raise the importance of accessible rail transport on the public agenda and show that the future of London should be one that we can all access.You can find more information about the call for evidence and some suggested questions to answer on the London City Hall website: https://www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-assembly/london-assemblys-current-investigations/future-rail
