Network Rail has completed key work to make Chester-le-Street station more accessible, improving safety and allowing more people to travel independently.
Over the past three weeks, Network Rail teams have installed over 105 metres of raised, tactile paving slabs along the full length of both platforms.
Sarah Reid, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast Route said: “We know that many people rely on tactile paving to use the railway independently, so I’m pleased this work has now completed and will benefit people using Chester-le-Street station.
“Improving accessibility is really important to us, which is why we’ll be carrying out similar work at three more stations in the North East, enabling even more people to travel with confidence.”
Tactile paving has a textured surface, which helps visually impaired passengers know when they’re close to the platform edge, improving safety and giving more people the confidence to travel by train independently.
This project is part of a £10m scheme, funded by the Department for Transport, to install tactile surfaces at 200 stations in Britain. Improvements at three more sites in the North East are planned – Newcastle, Cramlington and Manors.
Kerry Peters, Regional Director for Northern said: “Our customers are the heart of everything we do, and we are dedicated to making Northern’s services accessible to everyone, and to having a positive impact for the north. These improvements will give our customers added confidence when using our services and they are very much welcomed.”
Kevan Jones, MP for North Durham said: “The right to physical accessibility is the foundation of so many economic, social, civil and political rights. Access to public transport should be delivered on the principle that every disabled person can live a fully independent life. I welcome the measures taken by Network Rail at Chester-le-Street Station and hope to see similar measures put in place across the North-East.”
Photo credit: Network Rail
