Access to the Rail Network for disabled passengers

Transport Scotland is working in partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT) to improve access to Scotland’s rail network for everyone

Step free access to Dalmuir station

Disabled access to the rail network is a matter reserved for the UK government, as it sits within equalities legislation such as the Equality Act 2010.

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. Our Access for All Small Schemes fund is managed by First ScotRail and is available every year until 2014.

Other access improvements include the ongoing re-development of stations such as at Aberdeen, major station improvement projects, such as Waverley Steps, and First ScotRail's station accessibility improvements such as at Haymarket. All new build stations such as Laurencekirk, Caldercruix, Blackridge and Armadale are built to modern railway standards and are weeelchair accessible.

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 requested, is available in First ScotRail’s Disabled Persons Protection Policy. Information is also provided in British Sign Language video clips from the website.

Transport Scotland and DfT 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.