Published on: Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
Abellio Greater Anglia is investing in making rail stations more easily accessible to those with mobility problems.
Fifty new benches will be installed at rail stations across the network, which are compliant with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).
The benches are for the use of all passengers, but will benefit those with limited mobility because of their updated design comprising segregated seats with colour-contrasting arm rests, which makes them easier to use.
The benches, supplied by Eglin Concourse International, are specifically designed for railway stations and bus interchanges, and fully comply with DDA requirements which state that all public waiting areas must provide seating facilities for the elderly, disabled and visually impaired.
The new benches are being installed on platforms at Attleborough (2), Bishop’s Stortford (2), Braintree (2), Broxbourne (3), Chelmsford (2), Cheshunt (2), Diss (2), Frinton (2), Great Yarmouth (6), Harlow Town (2), Hertford East (2), Hockley (3), Hythe (2), Manningtree (1), Newmarket (2), Rayleigh (3), Shenfield (3), South Woodham Ferrers (1), Stowmarket (2), Sudbury (2), Wickford (2) and Wivenhoe (2).
Other stations have received new station wheelchairs in addition to their existing ones to use when providing assistance to passengers who have mobility problems. The new wheelchairs are available at Bishop’s Stortford, Broxbourne, Bury St Edmunds, Gidea Park, Ipswich, Lowestoft, Rayleigh, Romford, Stansted, Southend Victoria and Tottenham Hale stations.
Recently, Abellio Greater Anglia also installed and opened new easily accessible toilet facilities at Hockley, Audley End, Diss, Witham and Lowestoft rail stations.
Andrew Goodrum, Abellio Greater Anglia’s Customer Service Director, said, “We are working hard to improve accessibility at stations and on the trains for those with mobility impairments and have completed upgrades at many stations which will make train travel an easier and enjoyable experience for passengers.”