Patients, there relatives or friends who have disabilities or mobility issues visiting the Queen Elizebeth Hospital in Birmingham, can now travel there by rail with ease thanks to the introduction of waiting spaces and signage on the platforms at University Station.
The 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 which is positioned directly behind where the spaces are located on the platforms can now be found at the station.
Station staff, passengers and train crew can see the accessibility tools from either end of the platforms at the station, even when they are busy.
It takes just 5 minutes to walk or wheel to the main entrance of the hospital from the station, which is the 22nd station managed by West Midlands Railway to get the waiting spaces and signage on the platforms.
My message to the patients, there relatives and friends with accessibility needs travelling by rail to appointments at the QE Hospital (Queen Elizabeth) in Birmingham is this, ” the waiting spaces and accompanying signage will now allow you to travel by rail with ease to appointments at the hospital instead of having to drive into Birmingham.
This is the second railway station managed by WMR (West Midlands Railway) near an NHS operated building to see these tools installed on the platforms after Selly Oak station which is near to the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre saw the installation of the tools in March last year, meaning there patients can also travel to appointments by rail with ease if they wish to do so.
Check out my post about the waiting spaces at Selly Oak station here: https://just-being-cp.co.uk/2025/03/25/accessible-waiting-spaces-installed-on-the-platforms-at-selly-oak-railway-station-to-benefit-patients-visiting-the-west-midlands-rehabilitation-centre/
The other stations that have the waiting spaces and signage on the platforms in the region are: Aston, Witton, Coventry Arena, The Hawthorns, Kenilworth, Lye, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Telford Central, Selly Oak, Shenstone, Blake Street, Wylde Green, Gravelly Hill, Erdington, Sutton Coldfield, Chester Road, Lichfield City, Four Oaks, Marston Green and Tile Hill.
Those who require some assistance to board trains at University station, can book there assisted travel up to 2 hours before departure in any of 3 ways:
By Phone: 0800 024 8998 or by using Next Generation Text – 18001 0800 024 8998.
Online: https://booking.passengerassistance.com.
Using the Passenger Assistance App: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/passenger-assistance/id1542190496.
However you do have a legal right to just turn up at a railway station and travel without booking any assistance prior to departure.
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Once again it is only right that I take the opportunity to thank the accessibility and properties team’s at the now publicly funded operator who’s hard work and dedication towards the project in recent weeks, months and of course years has not gone unnoticed and is very much appreciated.
A thank you must also go to each and everyone of you, my regular loyal readers and social media followers who continually take the time out of your busy schedules to read my latest posts, it as always it does not go unnoticed and is very much appreciated
Cam
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