This is a blog covering the status of the UK railway stations provided with 'Access for All' (AfA) funding to provide step-free access. The 'Access for All' funding programme aims to provide an accessible route onto and between railway station platforms and was launched in 2006. Since its launch, step-free routes have been provided at … Continue reading UK railways ‘Access for All’ audit
On Wednesday 4th September we had the latest meeting with Network Rail regarding progress (or lack of it) towards a step-free Biggleswade station. The last meeting took place on 24th July and you can read a full update from that meeting here: https://julianvaughan.blog/2024/07/24/access-for-all-biggleswade-july-2024-update/ In brief at the previous meeting we were told that the new … Continue reading Biggleswade step-free update – 7th Sep 2024
It was great to hear Keir Starmer talk about rail accessibility being a 'basic requirement' following the dreadful experience Tanni Grey-Thompson suffered on an LNER train earlier this week. He was also correct in pointing out that many other people, without Tanni's profile and reach, would have had similar experiences across the UK rail network. … Continue reading Starmer, Rail Accessibility, and Tanni GT
In 2015, Sir Peter Hendy, now Lord Hendy and currently Minister of State for Rail, was appointed as Chair of Network Rail and tasked to conduct a review of the enhancement programme for Control Period 5, which ran from 2014-2019. From the resulting 'Hendy Report' this programme was "prioritised to reflect the government's commitments to … Continue reading A decade of step-free delay
Farage talks about “something going wrong in our once beautiful country”. Yes, something is going wrong with this country, it is grifters like him, aided and abetted by the hard right media, who for years have sown the seeds of hate and division for personal and political gain. However, it is vital that ALL politicians … Continue reading Taking on the far right
Today, Wednesday 24th July, we met once again with Network Rail and local stakeholders including local Councillors and local MP, Richard Fuller. You can read my previous update from our last meeting in May, which announced a further delay here: https://julianvaughan.blog/2024/05/09/lifts-at-biggleswade-delayed-until-summer-2025/ At the last meeting, we were told that a new quote from the contractor … Continue reading ‘Access for All’ Biggleswade – July 2024 Update
On 24th May 2024, the government announced the 50 stations set to benefit from the £350 million of funding for step-free access as part of the funding settlement for Control Period 7 (2024-2029). You can find the full list here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/railway-stations-awarded-access-for-all-accessibility-funding/railway-stations-awarded-access-for-all-accessibility-funding *South Croydon makes an appearance in this list, even though it was actually awarded … Continue reading Access for All – nominated stations
On 24th May the Department for Transport announced the railway stations set to benefit from the latest round of 'Access for All' (AfA) funding for Control Period 7 which runs from 2024-2029. Having been part of the campaign group, I was delighted to see Leagrave station on the list. However, the £350 million allocated for … Continue reading Can we afford not to have an accessible railway?
I have been a train driver for 21 years. Last year I was involved in an incident at work where someone jumped in front of my train, and very sadly this incident resulted in a fatality. I am deliberately vague about the specific details of the incident to maintain anonymity. Having now returned to driving … Continue reading Fatality on the railway – a driver’s perspective
After standing as a Labour candidate in the last two General Elections, when you are offered a candidacy in one of the safest Tory seats in the UK, it dawns on you rather quickly that your face just doesn’t fit and it is time to move on. So, after politely declining the opportunity to stand … Continue reading Down, but not out
Julian Vaughan 