JustBeingCP

The platforms on the tram networks in Birmingham and Manchester was the inspiration behind the waiting spaces idea on the Midlands railways.

Tiles which feature a wheelchair logo can be found on the platforms at tram stops in two of the United Kingdom’s biggest cities, Birmingham and Manchester.

When I met with the team from the now publicly funded rail operator, West Midlands Railway at Witton Station near Villa Park in Birmingham I suddenly wondered if the waiting spaces that the tram networks use could work on the railways in the Midlands.

So I suggested it to the operator during the meeting that I had with senior officials on November the 28th 2023 and it is fair to say that they liked the idea.

Since then the blue and white boxes which also feature a white wheelchair logo and the words “ for mobility assistance, please wait here” along with signage mirroring the same messaging positioned either directly behind the spaces or near to where they are located on the platforms can be seen at various stations managed by the operator.

Those stations include: Witton, Aston, The Hawthorns and Coventry Arena just to name a few with University being one of the latest to see the installation.

More stations have seen the installation of the spaces since the start of the year, meaning that more of our community will be able to travel with ease and confidence across the rail network in the region.

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It is only right that I thank the tram operators in both Birmingham and Manchester for creating a designated area on the platforms of the tram stops in those cities, so that our community know where to wait.

The idea ensures that those with disabilities or mobility issues can travel across the network with ease and confidence either independently or with friends and family.

Your hard-work dedication towards this does not go unnoticed and is very much appreciated because otherwise it would not have paved the way for the idea to be replicated on the rail network elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

A thank you should also go to the entire team at West Midlands railway and London Northwestern railway who have gone above and beyond in recent weeks, months and years to ensure that our community can have our independence back whilst using trains.

Again your hard-work and dedication towards this work has not gone unnoticed and is of course as always very much appreciated.

Finally, thank you 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 as always it does not go unnoticed and is very much appreciated.

Cam