Tactile paving on platforms saves lives – Assembly calls for action

On 26 February 2020, a blind passenger tragically died after falling from platform 1 of Eden Park station in Beckenham.

Between 9 and 15 per cent of people falling on railway tracks are blind or partially sighted, and around one third of Network Rail platforms across the UK do not have tactile paving.

The London Assembly has today agreed a motion for the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, to use his influence with Network Rail to ensure the remaining Crossrail and London Overground stations have tactile paving installed on all platforms.

Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“It is nothing less than a scandal that one third of train platforms in London and around the country are so unsafe, especially for blind and visually impaired people.

“The ability to travel safely and independently is a basic right. The vital importance of tactile paving has been overlooked for far too long by the rail industry with sadly fatal consequences.

“We now need to ensure urgent action is taken. It is vital that within no more than four years every station in London and around the country has the basic safety measure of tactile paving.”

Elly Baker AM, who seconded the motion, said:

“Making our transport network more accessible to disabled and visually-impaired Londoners must continue to be a priority. We know that inaction on this can have tragic consequences.

“The vast majority of London Overground and TfL rail stations have tactile paving, with installation works at Clapton and Brentwood station set to be completed this year. We want to see the Mayor continue this work and we want to see Network Rail follow suit by working with TfL to take action to install tactile paving at Iver and Hanwell stations.

“The Government must also urgently respond to long-standing calls to ensure that tactile paving is in place at the 79 remaining stations across London where this vital safety feature is lacking.”

The full text of the motion is:

“This Assembly notes the Rail Accident Investigation Branch report into the fatality of Cleveland Gervais, a blind passenger struck by a train on 26 February 2020 after falling from platform 1 of Eden Park station in Beckenham.

This Assembly further notes that between 9% and 15% of people falling on railway tracks are blind or partially sighted according to Rail Accident Investigation Branch statistics.

This Assembly notes that the lack of tactile paving at train stations is widespread, with around one third of Network Rail platforms across the UK not having this basic safety measure in place. Lack of provision includes numerous stations across London managed by Network Rail.

This Assembly recognises Network Rail’s commitment to ensure all train platforms have tactile paving by 2029, but believes this commitment is far too slow and that urgent action is necessary.

This Assembly welcomes the work that Transport for London has put in place and notes that all Transport for London rail platforms have tactile paving, with the exception of Iver and Hanwell which Network Rail owns. Furthermore, this Assembly notes that every London Overground station has tactile paving on all London Overground platforms, with the exception of Clapton, which Transport for London is currently rectifying.

This Assembly urges the Mayor to use his influence with Network Rail to ensure the remaining Crossrail and London Overground stations have tactile paving installed on all platforms.

This Assembly also calls on the Chair of the London Assembly to write to both the Secretary of State for Transport and the Chair of Network Rail calling for a detailed timetable for the 100 per cent provision of tactile paving at all Network Rail stations in London within a timeframe of no more than four years.

This Assembly also requests that Network Rail regularly reports to the Transport Committee on progress in making the railways accessible in London.”