The September SAPT meeting discussed a range of accessibility problems and possible solutions.
Many stations in Scotland have hazards associated with ‘Mind the Gap’ or and/low platforms. Some stations require the use of steps which cause problems for those with mobility issues. The use of portable ramps at locally steep angles can cause additional hazards for wheelchair users.
Various new trains running in England and Wales have low floor access which allows level boarding. This is a great improvement not just for wheelchair users and the mobility impaired to have the ability to operate independently without assistance, but also much easier and safer when boarding with small children, pushchairs, cycles and bulky luggage, etc. Further problems occur, particularly at unmanned stations where no step-free access is available to one or both platforms.
The Glasgow Subway stations enable level boarding from all platforms to the trains.
The 3rd generation carriages which came into service this year include a dedicated wheelchair space.
However, only 2 subway stations are provided with lifts to platform level – St Enoch and Govan.
These were 2 of the stations which were widened to include twin flank platforms during the 1977-80 modernisation. It is understood that that project considered the feasibility of providing disabled lifts at all 15 stations – this option was rejected on the grounds of costs in favour of escalators where space was available. Several stations still require the use of stairways to access the platforms.
One of the redundant 2nd generation carriages can now be found in the Riverside Museum (see photo). The museum already includes a popular display based on 1st generation carriages from 1896.
Footnote: Since the September opening of the Govan to Partick swing bridge over the River Clyde, the Riverside Museum is now closer to Govan Station than Partick station, thus offering a wider range of public transport connections for visitors – bus, train, Subway together with active travel options.
This is one of the longest opening pedestrian/cycle bridges in Europe, with a width of six metres and two spans – the moving span, which weighs 650 tonnes and is 99 metres long, and the fixed span, which weighs 45 tonnes and is 15.7 metres long. This £ 29.5 million Glasgow City Region City Deal project – funded by the Scottish and UK Governments – re-establishes the historical connection between communities at Govan and Partick, which was traditionally linked by frequent ferries.
