Four in five blind people struggle with gap at UK train stations, survey finds

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Rachel HallJanuary 22, 2026 at 01:01 AM

AI Summary

medium article 4 min

A recent RNIB survey revealed that four in five blind and partially sighted people in the UK struggle with the gap between trains and platforms, leading to falls and injuries. The research, involving 1,200 participants, found that over a third avoid train travel due to anxieties about inconsistent support and accessibility issues. The report highlighted the lack of tactile wayfinding at stations compared to other countries, as well as unreliable passenger assistance, with many respondents being stranded or unable to get help from staff. The RNIB is urging the government to improve accessibility in the upcoming railways bill, citing challenging ticket systems, inaccessible stations, and inconsistent platform gaps as contributing factors to unsafe journeys.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Japan 30% East Sussex 40% London Bridge 40% Paul Goddard 50% Great British Railways 50% Erik Matthies 60% UK 80% Royal National Institute of Blind People ×590%

Keywords

blind people 100% train stations 90% accessibility 80% passenger assistance 70% train travel 60% sight loss 60% railway safety 50% tactile wayfinding 50% platform gap 40%