Forum Topic

Accessibility at Brentford Station

I am completely convinced about the arguments in favour of greater accessibility for all but was somewhat perplexed about the planned demo at Brentford station mentioned in the newsletter.If a train is allowed to run without a guard on it there will be a train. If the current policy of 'no guard, no train' there will be no train. So a disabled person is no less likely to be able to get a train if South Western Railway are allowed to run trains without guards. I don't see how this can be seen as reduced accessibility.

Dan Evans ● 2683d10 Comments

Re my last post, perhaps this question should be aimed at Ed Mayne - he's leaving the LBH cabinet to go back to his railways I hear.

Jennifer Selig ● 2665d

This prolonged and heavy humping, bumping work of dragging ramps into place seems totally inefficient and stupid.  Why on earth have we got this cumbersome system?  What do they do in Europe?  The UK cannot be the only nation with loads of old dodderers and disabled folk wishing to use trains.

Jennifer Selig ● 2667d

and now it is proposed that it should be decreased!Now when we are told that we have an increasing elderly population so there are likely to be more people who will want to be able to continue to use the railway when it becomes increasingly difficult for them - the idea is that we should make it harder.  Crazy.  Why should it only be available for the able?

Philippa Bond ● 2668d

Thank you for that info Raymond.  I also think it is safer for there to be two railway staff on a train.Travelling up from the south-west to Paddington several years ago I found myself sitting near to a young mother who had been helped onto the train by someone getting on to the train.  She was travelling with a toddler and a baby in a buggy.  Once on the train she had enough to do keeping the toddler amused.  Suddenly I heard her say "Oh no - this is where we have to get off".  Unbelievably the great British public disappeared deeper into their newspapers and earphones.I opened the door with great difficulty - as that would show someone was trying to leave the train - whilst she organised the buggy.  The door promptly swung closed again. (I have in the past swung out over the platform on one of these heavy doors.)Then holding the toddler I stood on the platform and yelled for help please as she was probably going to need help getting away from the train and climbing the stairs and my bags were sitting on the train and I was on the platform.  This did attract a guard who was then aware of us as well as a member of the public who was willing to help. This was Castle Cary at dusk in the summer.  No wonder people travel by car.  The train was most definitely NOT taking the strain in this situation.  With a bit more pre-planning we might have worked out something less stressful!

Philippa Bond ● 2669d

The ramps are heavy and have to be kept locked.We all know what some types will do given half the chance if they are left accessible.The trains are now up to 12 cars long.The delay if the driver has to do all this and walk at least 6 cars to the ramp point could be in excess of 6 mins. That cascades and delays all trains not just behind but in front at junctions. 6 mins can lead to 20 min delays as far as Woking or Waterloo.What if the driver picks up an injury or cannot lift the ramp?Many women drivers have reported that they cannot lift the ramps on their own.Currently, guards and platform staff are briefed and know where a passenger is located so meet the train and the delay is minimal. The national rail network has a huge variety of trains, locomotives, wagons and they all have to meet gauging standards to enable them to go anywhere. Our railways originated by several different companies with different civil engineering approaches,  gauging and levels.  The fact it is more or less compatible has taken 70 years, but it will never be a level playing field.

Raymond Havelock ● 2670d

Not as daft as it sounds - the train can't go anywhere while this is happening so it might as well be the driver who does it - he'd only be sitting in his cab doing zilch otherwise.

Jennifer Selig ● 2670d

The Ramps are kept locked up at the Stn’s. So they will make the Driver do it as part of a money deal to get rid of the guards.

Robin Dickers ● 2673d

I think it's because without a guard to supervise the ramps wheelchair users can't get on or off the trains safely.

Pat Kingham ● 2673d

What is the cause of the lack of accessibility?  Is it trains too high and/or platforms too low.  Maybe it is low, and steeply curved platforms making them too far away from the train carriage and thus causing a big gap?  Some carriages presumably must be aligned to a straight section of platform or the entire length curved away from the train?  What a nonsense.

Jennifer Selig ● 2674d

What is the use to you of a train which you can't get on?

Philippa Bond ● 2674d