Campaigner’s legal victory highlights questions over government’s commitment to accessible rail travel

A rail company’s actions have underlined continuing concerns about the government’s commitment to an accessible rail network, after a disabled campaigner’s legal bid finally forced it to improve access at six rural stations.

Doug Paulley, who brought the case against government-owned Northern Trains, said he believed the company’s delayed action was a concerning reflection on the policy failures of successive governments on accessible transport.

Northern Trains first promised two years ago to take action to ensure disabled people could use the six stations in Cumbria, Yorkshire and Northumberland.

All six of the stations use barrow crossings, which can only be used if trained staff are present and allow passengers who cannot use steps to cross the tracks from one platform to another.

Paulley’s legal challenge targeted improvements at Appleby, Bridlington, Hexham, Settle, Thorne North and Ulverston stations.

It came after he was left stranded at Appleby station after his pre-booked accessible taxi – arranged through Northern – was cancelled.

He could not reach the other platform to return home because the station was unstaffed on a Sunday so he could not use the barrow crossing, and the steep roads and paths around the station meant wheeling himself would have been unsafe.

Fortunately, an “excellent” catering trolley attendant, who had been on the train, called in a favour and arranged for a taxi to take him into town and then back to the station later.

But these journeys were still “difficult and stressful” because it was not an accessible taxi, and – because the barrow crossing was shut – he had to wheel himself up a steep footpath to the opposite platform for his return journey.

Paulley applied for a judicial review in April 2024, arguing that Northern was breaching the Equality Act by failing to staff Appleby and five other barrow crossing stations throughout their operating hours, and was failing to make reasonable adjustments to ensure wheelchair-users could access all the platforms across the six stations.

Northern first promised to extend staffing hours at the stations two years ago, during consultations into hugely unpopular proposals to cut ticket office opening-hours across England, which were later abandoned.

The rail company has now agreed to settle Paulley’s case, without admitting liability.

At Bridlington, Northern has installed a lift, while it now has staff available at Ulverston, Thorne North and Hexham stations from the first to the last train of the day.

It had told Paulley that it hoped to extend its “first to last” staffing promise to Appleby and Settle by the end of last month, but told DNS this week that it was still “working to ensure staff are able to provide the same assistance throughout the day” at the two stations.

Asked why it had taken so long for a government-owned rail company to take the necessary action on accessibility at the six stations, Northern said it could not speak for the Department for Transport (DfT).

DfT also declined to say why it had taken a government-owned company so long to act.

Paulley said Northern’s actions were a “step in the right direction” but its delays in acting on its offer to staff barrow crossing stations from first to last trains had been “very frustrating”.

And he said the staffing promise was not a “proper solution” because disabled people should have the right to “independent step-free access”.

He wants to see accessible footbridges with lifts and ramps at all train stations.

Instead, he said, the government’s Access for All scheme to improve access at rail stations was “lamentably inadequate by design, and even more so in implementation, so there’s no sign of lifts any time soon at the remaining five stations – which is a shameful reflection on governmental policy.

“I am very concerned that there appears to be no drive or appetite for accessibility and no firm commitment for such.

“We are treated as an expensive inconvenience.”

A DfT spokesperson said in a statement: “Everyone should be able to travel with ease and confidence.

“That’s why accessibility is a core priority for this government – we want disabled passengers to travel easily, confidently and with dignity.

“Northern is working to make journeys easier for passengers who need support, through station improvements, staff training and improved passenger assistance services.

“The Access for All programme has already delivered step-free routes at more than 270 stations, and we’re considering further measures – including a stronger passenger watchdog for disabled passengers.

“Later this year, we’ll publish a roadmap setting out how GBR [Great British Railways] will deliver a railway that truly works for everyone.”

Asked why it had not promised to install accessible footbridges with lifts and ramps at the five stations other than Bridlington, a Northern spokesperson said: “We understand how important step-free access is for disabled passengers and those with mobility challenges.

“As part of the settlement, we’ve agreed to provide staff at these stations throughout the day to offer direct assistance.

“Installing footbridges and lifts requires public funding.

“While we’re committed to improving accessibility, decisions about major infrastructure upgrades are made through a wider process.”

The Northern spokesperson added: “We’re sorry that Mr Paulley had such a difficult experience while travelling with us.

“We recognise how vital accessibility is for all our customers and are committed to making meaningful improvements across our network.

“Improving accessibility remains a top priority for Northern, and we continue to listen closely to feedback from our customers to guide our efforts and ensure everyone can travel with confidence and dignity.”

Paulley, who was represented by legal firm Leigh Day, said: “The railway industry should take note: where the moral imperative for accessibility has sadly proven not to be sufficient for them to take action, they will face legal consequences from disabled people and excellent allies like Leigh Day.

“I honestly believe that legal action can result in significant improvements for disabled people.”

Leigh Day partner Stephanie Hill said: “My client and all passengers should be able to travel with freedom and dignity.

“I very much hope that all train operators will ensure that stations are properly accessible to all rail users to prevent instances like my client has experienced from happening again.”

Picture of Appleby station by Google

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