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Access for All: funding to improve accessibility at rail stations

How Access for All funding will make rail stations more accessible for less able passengers.

• From: Department for Transport and Network Rail
• Published: 19 April 2013
• Last updated: 8 July 2019 — See all updates

The Access for All programme was launched in 2006 to address the issues faced by disabled passengers and passengers facing mobility restraints (such as heavy luggage or pushchairs) when using railway stations in Great Britain.

The funding is used to create an obstacle free, accessible route from the station entrance to the platform. This generally includes providing lifts or ramps, as well as associated works and refurbishment along the route.

All of the available Access for All funding has been allocated to projects until spring 2019. The government’s statement of funds available for control period (2019 to 2024) included a commitment to continue investment in the accessibility of the railway after 2019. Further detail on the new funding, which extends the programme until at least 2024, was published in the July 2018 Inclusive Transport Strategy.

Main programme

The £390 million programme, launched in 2006 to deliver accessible routes at stations, was extended in 2014 with a further £163 million.

More than 150 stations have been completed and about 68 further projects are at various stages of construction or development.

The Network Rail website has further information, including a map showing all stations impacted by this programme.

Mid-tier programme

Following an announcement on 20 February 2020, we have identified 40 projects, covering 124 stations, to receive funding under the Mid-Tier Programme. The £20 million fund will deliver accessibility improvements leading to small-scale enhancements such as tactile paving, handrails and Harrington Humps, which increase platform heights. Taken together, these improvements will open up journeys for disabled passengers, allowing them to travel with confidence.

Small schemes

Since 2006, a further 1500 stations have benefited from £47.81 million worth of smaller scale access improvements such as toilets, automatic doors, tactile paving and customer information screens. All projects were completed by 2016.

Further information

For more information:

• about work at stations in England and Wales contact railwaysforall@dft.gov.uk
• see the government’s accessible transport policies
• about projects in Scotland, please contact Transport Scotland

Guidance and publications

• Railway stations awarded Access for All accessibility funding
  • 24 May 2024
  • Transparency data
• Accessible railway stations: design standards
  • 31 December 2020
  • Guidance
• Inclusive Transport Strategy
  • 3 November 2020
  • Policy paper

Consultations

• Design standards for accessible railway stations: a code of practice
  • 23 August 2023
  • Closed consultation

Published 19 April 2013
Last updated 8 July 2019 + show all updates

1. 8 July 2019

   'Access for All: apply for the mid-tier funding programme' published.

2. 4 April 2019

   'Rail stations in line for £300 million funding boost to improve disabled access' announcement published.

3. 25 July 2018

   Inclusive Transport Strategy added.

4. 19 April 2013

   First published.