One hundred and eighty-nine years on from when the station first opened, it is time that Hexham railway station was accessible to everyone. We cannot keep blaming the Victorians for our inaccessible rail network, and with Hexham station being one of the busiest on the Tyne Valley line, we believe that it’s time for lifts at Hexham. Below are some Q&A’s regarding accessibility issues at the station. We regard this as very much a ‘live’ document. If you have any questions that are not answered below, please get in touch and we’ll give you our best answer and look to add it to the list.
The steps on the bridge taken from the Eastbound platform
Q: Why do we need lifts at Hexham as both platforms are step-free?
While both platforms are indeed step-free, there is no cross-platform access outside of ticket office hours. When you return back to the station you will end up on the other side of the station from where you started.
Q: I thought the ticket office staff helped out if anyone needed assistance?
Yes, they can provide assistance but they are only available at certain times of the day. They are not available after 5.30pm Mon to Fri, after 2.15pm on a Saturday and there are no station staff at all on Sunday. Wheelchair users like to go out in the evenings and on weekends too!
Q: Most people can use the station, is the lack of lifts really a big issue?
Yes it is! Apart from wheelchair users, a step-free station would also help those with reduced mobility, passengers with heavy luggage and parents with young children. As our population ages, more people are likely to have reduced mobility.
Q: What are the principles behind your campaign?
We believe accessibility is a right, not a favour and that disabled people do not want help, they just want to be able to travel independently. We also insist that the voice of disabled people must be involved at every stage, not just as a ‘tick box’ exercise.
Q: There is a new ramped entrance on the North side of the station. Isn’t that enough?
While this is helpful, along with the new car park spaces provided, when you make the return trip back to Hexham you will be returning back to the opposite platform.
Q: Isn’t there an accessible route between platforms via the street?
While the National Rail Enquiries website describes this route as accessible, it certainly isn’t! The route, which has no signage or maps, lacks dropped kerbs, requires wheelchair users to travel along the road at one point and is poorly lit as well as being very narrow in places.
Q: Isn’t Hexham station is a listed building?
We agree that Hexham is a beautiful station and we would want any new infrastructure to be sympathetic to the current station design. Lifts have been installed at other listed stations in the UK.
A view of the bridge taken from the Westbound platform
Q: The passenger numbers at Hexham aren’t very high, do they justify the cost of the lifts?
There are many other stations with lower passenger numbers than Hexham that have had lifts installed, or lifts planned. Hexham had 336,000 passengers in 2022/23. Alnmouth already has lifts and they had 331,000 passengers. Research has shown that the provision of step-free access brings an economic return as well as social benefits to the local community.
Q: Surely there are more important things to spend money on in these difficult times?
A step-free station will bring significant benefits to the local area. It will enable disabled people and those with restricted mobility to travel independently and access both work and leisure on an equal basis with others. It will reduce reliance on the car, reducing congestion and CO2 emissions. It will benefit the economy, enabling more people to visit the area and reducing loneliness in our communities.
Q: Where are the nearest fully accessible stations to Hexham?
The nearest fully accessible stations are MetroCentre to the East and Carlisle to the West.
Q: How are stations chosen to receive funding for step-free access?
There are a number of criteria for a successful bid for ‘Access for All’ funding. These include passenger numbers (Hexham is ranked 11th out of fifty-five stations in the NE) but also includes distance to the nearest fully accessible station, train company support, support of the local council and MP, support from the local community and local factors within 800m of the station such as a hospital or rehabilitation centre.
A view of the barrow crossing taken from the bridge
Q: If a campaign is successful, how long before we can expect to have lifts at Hexham station?
Much will depend on central government funding. However, we are realistically looking at between 5-10 years. If more funding were to me made available this timescale could be shortened. We will continue to make the case for government to invest in an accessible rail network that is accessible to everyone.
Q: I agree that Hexham station should be accessible to all. How can I help?
That’s great! We won’t be able to do this without the help of the local community. We would like to hear about how a fully accessible station would benefit you. We also want to make sure that the views of disabled people are heard throughout the campaign. If you would like to get involved, or tell us about your experiences please email us at: ukrailaccessnetwork@gmail.com
Compiled by Julian Vaughan
Lifts for Hexham campaign
24th September 2024
Further reading:
UK railways accessibility map: https://accessmap.nationalrail.co.uk/
Steer Davies Gleave: Access for All Benefit Research: https://uk.steergroup.com/sites/default/files/2021-03/Access4AllBenefitResearch2015.pdf
Network Rail Access for All: improving accessibility at railway stations: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/passengers/station-improvements/access-for-all-improving-accessibility-at-railway-stations-nationwide/
Northern Accessible Rail Policy: https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/accessible-travel-policy
Can we afford not to have an accessible railway? http://julianvaughan.blog/2024/07/16/can-we-afford-not-to-have-an-accessible-railway/
Starmer, Rail Accessibility and Tanni GT http://julianvaughan.blog/2024/09/01/starmer-rail-accessibility-and-tanni-gt/
Commentaires