Almost without fail, when discussing rail accessibility, politicians and rail industry leaders remind us that much of the UK rail network was constructed in the Victorian era. Guys, this excuse is wearing thin after 150-plus years. 'Glacial' is probably the best description of the rate of progress towards a step-free railway and this shows no … Continue reading Access for All – where’s Labour at?
This morning, the Bedfordshire Rail Access Network (BRAN) team, along with Network Rail and the contractors, visited Biggleswade station to inspect and identify any potential issues with the new ramp and lifts. Of course, the first question on everyone's lips was when the lifts would enter public service, and we were told that this would … Continue reading Biggleswade Lifts Update 28.11.25.
Earlier today, we attended a site visit to the lift works at Biggleswade railway station. This site visit was hosted by Network Rail and apart from members of the Bedfordshire Rail Access Network team, was attended by local Town Councillors, Central Bedfordshire Councillors, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) representatives and our local MP Richard Fuller. Below … Continue reading Biggleswade Lifts Update – 23rd July 2025
A post on why we should all be concerned about the Labour government's commitment to an accessible rail network. Below is a list of the 50 stations selected for 'Access for All' (A4A) funding in May 2024 by the last Conservative government. Aigburth Ash Vale Battle Bellgrove Bodmin Parkway Bredbury Bushey Castle Cary Chinley Church … Continue reading Which way now for Rail Accessibility under Labour?
The glacial progress of the 'Access for All' scheme means that at the current rate of progress, the UK rail network won't be accessible for around 100 years. This highlights the culture within government and the rail industry, which views accessibility as a favour rather than a fundamental right. Listen to any politician or rail … Continue reading The Future for Rail Accessibility
I have just come out of a fairly short meeting with Network Rail to discuss the latest progress towards a step-free Biggleswade station. Thankfully It was a short meeting due to no major issues being reported. One previous area of concern was the ground conditions in the area where the lifts are to be located. … Continue reading Biggleswade Lifts Update 17.03.25
In what is the 16th update I have posted regarding the provision of step-free access at Biggleswade railway station, I'm cautiously optimistic that at long last the town will have a station accessible to all, perhaps by the end of this year. In my last update, posted on 25th November, I mentioned there were two … Continue reading Biggleswade Lifts Update – 14.01.25.
This afternoon we met with Network Rail to discuss the latest news on the scheme to install lifts at Biggleswade station. This project, awarded funding in 2019, has been subject to many frustrating delays, with costs escalating and the completion date slipping ever backward. My last update on 7th September was unable to provide any … Continue reading Biggleswade Lifts Update – 25.11.24
One hundred and eighty-nine years on from when the station first opened, it is time that Hexham railway station was accessible to everyone. We cannot keep blaming the Victorians for our inaccessible rail network, and with Hexham station being one of the busiest on the Tyne Valley line, we believe that it's time for lifts … Continue reading ‘Lifts for Hexham station’ Q & A
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
Julian Vaughan 