Accessible railway would get more than 50,000 disabled people into work
More than 50,000 disabled people could get jobs if Britain had an accessible rail system, a new study by leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire has revealed.
- An accessible rail system must be prioritised as part of the economic recovery from COVID says Leonard Cheshire.
- 41% of railway stations in Britain are still not step-free.
- Government still set to miss 2030 target on creating step-free journeys for disabled people by 40 years (2070).
Research shows that 51,000 disabled individuals have turned down a job offer due to a lack of accessibility on the railway (24,000 were actively seeking work, 27,000 said they would like to work).
Economic modelling* revealed subsequent benefits to the Exchequer would be as much as £900m if all 51,000 found work, with a potential output (GVA) boost of £2.5bn.
An estimated £4.3bn is needed for creating step free access to platform level for disabled people across the rail network - a fraction of overall transport capital spending – and just a single year of spending on High Speed 2.
The cost also represents just 2% of current transport capital investment.
Meanwhile, in London, the Lower Thames Crossing, a project to supplement the existing Dartford Crossing, is estimated to cost between £5.3bn and £6.8bn for just 14.3 miles of road.
The findings contrast with the stark reality that 41% of the UK’s railway stations still lack basic step free access today.
Emma is 24, lives in Birmingham and has cerebral palsy. She said:
“I’m now looking for work, but most positions mean I would have to get a train. Once I’m on the train I don’t know if I’m going to be able to get off because I need a ramp. Around 95% of the time I could be waiting on someone and I can’t just get off the train when I want to.
"When I hear about the research into how much money it would cost to make stations accessible, it’s frustrating because it would make such an impact on disabled people’s lives. If the government would invest, it would bring benefits to everyone because of the purple power – the money of disabled people. Also, accessible transport would enable careers and fulfilling work, which would mean not just an increase in spending power but also an increase in earning power.”
Gemma Hope, Leonard Cheshire’s Director of Policy said:
“These findings reinforce the need for investment in railway station infrastructure. It is a simple issue of equality that is even more relevant as we remain in an economic crisis for the foreseeable future. We have revealed a clear link between accessible rail and job opportunities for disabled people that will boost the economy and improve lives.”
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For further information, interview requests and case studies, please contact Jonathan Sim on jonathan.sim@leonardcheshire.org or call 020 3242 0313.