BEDS Rail Access Network

Campaigning for step-free access at stations across Bedfordshire

[Christiane Link @Christiane]

Give. Me. A. Break. Whoever thought this sign is a good idea 😳 This screams we don’t care and can’t be bothered to hire enough staff. In a nationalised company.

[Gareth Dennis @GarethDennis]

imagine if we'd been doing this stuff to avoid making our planet uninhabitable?

[Gareth Dennis @GarethDennis]

I think we're now able to build a pretty clear picture of the most likely mechanism of the train crash at Adamuz in Spain.

[Association of British Commuters @ABCommuters]

🚨 The Railways Bill enters its Committee stage this week - the first major chance to influence the legislation.

The Committee must address the fundamental problem from the start - how competition law puts the future of the railway under threat. https://t.co/3Dq3viZne3

[Julian Vaughan @julian_vaughan_]

While @simonlightwood states that (rail) “accessibility is a priority”, actions speak louder than words.

He recently confirmed that the gov’t have no plans to remove Appendix B of the PRM NTSN which means that stations such as #Northwich with footfall of less than….
1/3 🧵

[Julian Vaughan @julian_vaughan_]

My audit of 🚂 'Access for All' schemes 2014+
Very much a 'live' document. Latest updates ⬇️

#Cricklewood station - cost/benefit analysis - no date for completion @sarahsackman

#Flitwick station - possible completion in late 2026 @Blake_MidBeds

https://t.co/SvqprpppgX

[Association of British Commuters @ABCommuters]

Victory for @Doug_Paulley as his legal threat forces the rail regulator to intervene in train operator compensation policies.

The ORR had been allowing operators to set compensation for access failures at the price of a ticket, despite these being serious acts of discrimination.

[Susan C 💙🇺🇦 @SueyQP]

@flickhwilliams They don’t seem to consider that no one knows what’s ahead and what health issues they might have to face in future. Any one of us might be wishing for “levelling up” at some point. And that’s what disabled people deserve: same opportunities as everyone.

[Flick Williams @flickhwilliams]

Apparently, advocating for step free access to public transport makes me an entitled “grifter lunatic”. I don’t pay any attention to those spouting disablism to their 12 followers. BUT the point here is Govt narratives, aided & abetted by client media are fuelling hatred.

[Julian Vaughan @julian_vaughan_]

It’s beyond belief that rail and bus companies aren’t compelled to link their services.

This lack of integration means that public transport isn’t an option for many.

It’s time to run public transport for the public good, not private profit.

[Association of British Commuters @ABCommuters]

⚠️ Just one year ago, duties for access, environment + 'social and economic benefits' were to be the core of Great British Railways

Rn, we should be campaigning to make these duties even stronger. But DfT is blocking this by refusing to restore public interest Qs to consultation

[Julian Vaughan @julian_vaughan_]

After 190 years, it's time Hexham 🚂 station was accessible to everyone. If you support an accessible rail network, please sign and share!
#Access4All #disabledbytherailway #hexham #northumberland
https://t.co/R3MnTFTWGT

[Tyne Valley Rail Users' Group (TVRUG) @TVLRUG]

Please can we all get behind the campaign to make #Hexham Station more #accessible, by signing the petition, and then sharing far and wide too!

[Transport for All @TransportForAll]

A powerful letter calling for a guarantee on accessibility.

[Julian Vaughan @julian_vaughan_]

Another station originally awarded A4A funding back in 2014 faces yet another delay.

This station joins those that have endured a 10+ year wait for accessibility: Luton, Palmers Green, Ally Pally Battersea Park, Peckham Rye...
@Heidi_Labour @LordPeterHendy @ABCommuters

[Julian Vaughan @julian_vaughan_]

When someone loses their livelihood as a result of your direct actions, while raising serious safety concerns eventually acted on by the rail industry, I’m afraid a belated and half-baked apology doesn’t cut it Lord Hendy.
@GarethDennis @JankovicDina @ASLEFunion @RMTunion @TSSAunion
@ABCommuters

[Julian Vaughan @julian_vaughan_]

#Biggleswade 🚂 lifts, at one point due to be completed in 2022, now looks like heading into 2026, with meetings postponed & radio silence from @networkrail

Meanwhile, we hear that a nearby inaccessible station footbridge is to be replaced...by a NEW inaccessible footbridge! What on earth is going on?! @LouHaigh @LordPeterHendy @simonlightwood @Christiane @Tanni_GT @LordOrk @squirrelpot @flowergirl_lon @ABCommuters @AnnieBtransport @Doug_Paulley @ASLEFunion @MickWhelanASLEF @RMTunion @TSSAunion @TransportCttee @TransportForAll

[Julian Vaughan @julian_vaughan_]

The £3+ billion lost by the government in maintaining the 5p Fuel Duty cut could have been spent making much of the UK rail network accessible to all.

It’s not just morally the right thing to do, it makes economic & environmental sense too.

We need action not words.

[Gareth Dennis @GarethDennis]

Good news! I fully expect that public apology to land later this week then, at which point I can start getting on with my life again.

[Julian Vaughan @julian_vaughan_]

I'm very grateful to @JoeMorrisMP for raising the issue of rail accessibility in Parliament today.

#Hexham 🚂 station opened 189 years ago. I look forward to working with Joe and others to ensure it becomes accessible to everyone. @TVLRUG @TVCRP
#Lifts4Hexham #tynevalleyline