Shadow Transport Minister, Graham Simpson, has welcomed plans by the UK Government to ensure every train station in the UK has tactile edging.
The Central Scotland MSP's call comes after a constituent, who is registered blind, contacted him to raise concerns about the lack of tactile edging at a number of stations in Lanarkshire – including Bellshill and Uddingston.
Following the tragic death of a blind passenger at Eden Park station in London in February 2020, the UK Government committed to fit tactile paving on all railway platforms by March 2029 with most of the work to be carried out by 2024-2025.
In a meeting last week with Network Rail, managing director of Scotland’s Railways Alex Hynes confirmed that the majority of platforms north of the border will be fitted with tactile edging by March 2024.
Graham Simpson agreed that this was welcome news for Lanarkshire’s blind community and especially the residents of Uddingston, where the local school – Uddingston Grammar – is host to a Visual Impairment Unit.
Network Rail Scotland will keep Mr Simpson updated on progress and confirmed that, until tactile paving slabs are added, announcements will continue to be made at relevant stations.
Mr Simpson said: “I welcome the UK Government’s decision to take swift action to address this important issue.
“Lanarkshire residents who are registered blind will be rightly concerned when travelling from stations like Uddingston and Bellshill which do not have tactile edging.
“I was also pleased to receive a commitment from the boss of Scotland’s railways that these additions should be in place by March 2024.
“Tragedies like the one seen at Eden Park in London must not be repeated and I will continue to push for these improvements to be made as quickly as possible."
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