Since 2023 I have been working with the now publicly funded rail operator, West Midlands Railway to improve the accessibility of the railway stations they are responsible for, so that those with disabilities or mobility issues can travel by rail with ease on match-days.
Having been a disabled footballer supporter who has travelled by rail to matches around the country for a number of years now, which has always been a challenge for me, I am delighted to have this relationship with West Midlands Railway.
January 2023 saw the operator install accessibility signage (spaces and signage), on the platforms at the first station in the region managed by them.
This followed a suggestion I made to senior officials at the operator, including their Customer Experience Director and members of the accessibility team in the November of 2023.
Blue and white boxes which feature a white wheelchair logo and the words ” for mobility assistance, please wait here along with signage mirroring the same messaging positioned on a brick wall can be found on the platforms at the local railway station to the stadium.
Being in regular contact with the accessibility team at the operator, gives me the opportunity to suggest further stations across the network that could benefit from the new tools on the platforms.
It is also important to me that supporters are given the opportunity to provide feedback to the operator when something goes right so that learnings can taken from there experiences of travelling to and from The Hawthorns railway station after matches in Birmingham.
Sharing experiences of rail travel with other disabled supporters who travel by rail to matches gives us an opportunity to understand that we are not the only ones who have challenging rail journeys at times on match days.
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As always thank you to the incredible staff at the rail operator who have been incredible with there support in recent years along with West Bromwich Albion supporters who have been equally as incredible at The Hawthorns railway station on match-days, it has not gone unnoticed and is very much appreciated.
Thank you to each and everyone of you, my loyal readers and social media followers who continually take the time out of your busy schedules to read my latest posts, again it has not gone unnoticed and is very much appreciated.
Cam
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