Transport Scotland is working in partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT) to improve access to Scotland’s rail network for everyone
Disabled access to the rail network is a matter reserved for the UK government, as it sits within equalities legislation such as the Disability Discrimination Act.
Scottish Government Ministers, through Transport Scotland, work in close partnership with DfT to identify which Scottish stations should be given priority for improving access for disabled people.
Access for All Fund
In 2006, the DfT published the Railways for All Strategy outlining the UK government’s intention to improve access to the rail network for disabled people across Britain.
A key part of this strategy is the Access for All Fund. Transport Scotland invites organisations to apply for funding if they have a practical idea that can improve disabled access to the rail network.
Our Access for All Small Schemes fund is available every year until 2014.
Other disabled improvements include the ongoing renewal of stations, major station improvement projects, and First ScotRail's station accessibility improvements.
Scottish Rail Accessibility Forum
The Scottish Rail Accessibility Forum brings together Scotland's rail industry and disability organisations to ensure that partners work together to improve access to our rail network.
First ScotRail provides details of the Scottish stations and train services and how accessible these are. Information on First ScotRail's services for disabled people, including alternative accessible taxis where necessary, is available in First ScotRail’s Disabled Persons Protection Policy.
Transport Scotland and DfT recently published the updated Station Design for Disabled People: A Code of Practice. This details the requirements for providing accessible rail services to disabled passengers.
You can find more information about accessibility to the UK rail network on the Department for Transport’s website.
