Government makes tactile paving upgrade pledge 'for every station'

摘要

The Government has announced an ambitious plan to install tactile paving at every station platform edge in the UK, to improve safety for disabled passengers. The Department for Transport says it will be conducting a nationwide survey and carrying out "fast-tracked improvements". The results of this audit, already spelled out in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail, will be placed on a database that passengers can access to better plan their journeys. This initiative is additional to a new mobile phone app to simplify communication with rail staff. "These measures will have a positive, real-life impact and double-down on our promise to build back fairer from COVID," said Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris. Rail Delivery Group CEO Jacqueline Starr said the industry would fully support the strategy "as part of our ambition to make train travel accessible and inclusive to everyone". The new regulations will also require bus operators to provide audible and visual announcements on board services, protect disabled passengers from being overcharged in taxis and private hire vehicles, improve access to ferries, and make electric car charging points easier to use.