Insight into Rail Inclusivity

Inclusivity is driving the designs of new East West Rail’s stations.  

Disabled people from EWR’s Accessibility Advisory Panel joined members of the rail company’s design team on visits to stations to identify inclusive facilities and common barriers to access.

Their feedback will help future-proof the inclusive design of stations being built or remodelled.

Members of the panel, who have various disabilities, visited Bedford, Bletchley, and Bicester Village stations to provide feedback on issues such as layout, signage, navigation, and the overall passenger experience with the visits highlighting both accessibility challenges and examples of facilities that already meet disabled people’s needs. 

The Accessibility Advisory Panel was established to ensure the voices of disabled passengers are central to the design process of the railway and reflects EWR Co’s commitment to designing a railway that is inclusive for all.  

“It’s vital that our new stations are shaped by the voices of disabled people,” said Mary Doyle, Co-Chair of EWR Co’s Accessibility Advisory Panel, and independent inclusive transport consultant. 

“Barriers to travel don’t come from impairments, they come from poor design, processes and attitudes. We have a once in a generation opportunity and duty to build a railway that will last for 200 years which truly includes everyone, right from the start. 

“We must get it right now through an inclusive design culture and make it flexible enough for all people who are disabled, neurodivergent or older so they can travel with confidence, consistency and dignity.” 

Members of EWR Co’s architectural and design teams, along with representatives from EWR principal designer MWJV— a joint venture between WSP and Mott MacDonald - joined the station visits. Their participation allowed them to engage directly with the panel members’ lived experiences and gather meaningful, first-hand insights to help shape the inclusive design of future stations on EWR and across the wider rail industry. 

To find out more visit https://eastwestrail.co.uk/