This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Access all areas for disabled in Scotland
02/08/2006
Nearly £4 million a year was committed today to improving disabled access in Scotland's railway stations.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said the money would ensure that disabled people have trouble-free access to rail services.
Improvements such as new lifts, escalators, ramps, signage, lighting and flooring at local stations will now happen. The funding comes from Transport Scotland's share of the Access for All fund, a GB-wide scheme led by the Department for Transport.
Tavish Scott said:
"We are already working to increase accessibility at some of our major railway stations. Plans for Waverley include escalators to the main shopping street, and Haymarket will see the installation of new lifts.
"This new fund will help us improve access to local railway stations as well.
"It will ensure that disabled people have trouble-free access to rail services, allowing them to travel without the difficulties and stresses they have experienced in the past.
"But all Scotland's travellers are set to benefit from these improvements. New lifts and escalators will make life easier for the elderly and infirm, mothers with prams or those with heavy luggage.
"Along with our concessionary fares scheme and our support for community transport initiatives we are making a real difference for people across Scotland."
The Minister announced work has already started on feasibility studies for improvements to be made to the following stations: Dalmuir, Kirkcaldy, Motherwell, Mount Florida, Rutherglen and Stirling.
Background
The Railways for All Accessibility Strategy for Great Britain was launched by the Department for Transport in March 2006 and describes what the railway industry is doing to improve access for disabled people. A key part of this Strategy is the Access for All finance targeted at improving the accessibility of stations.
It has been agreed that under the scheme Network Rail will be able to spend up to £3.91m per annum on stations in Scotland. This investment is over and above commitments made in the franchise, the ongoing renewal of stations and major station improvements.
The Access for All Programme is a GB wide programme being project managed by Network Rail. The Programme's governance structure involves an Industry Steering Group, a Technical Policy Group and a Programme Group at GB level. Transport Scotland is actively involved in all of these forums. For each station development a Local Project Group will be convened which will include local stakeholders, and this will ensure that the Access for All funding is utilised in the most efficient manner in Scotland.
The purpose of the fund is to create an unobstructed and obstacle free 'accessible route' from at least one station entrance (usually the main one) and all drop-off points associated with that entrance, to each platform and between platforms served by passenger trains.
The Disability Discrimination Act and disability issues are reserved to the UK Government.
Up to date information on progress at each of the stations in the Access for All programme will be made available on both the Department for Transport and Transport Scotland's websites: www.dft.gov.uk/accesss and Transport Scotland (Accessibility)