Network Rail has made insufficient progress in its Access For All programme, underspending by £99M.
- The programme, aimed at making all stations step-free, failed to complete 72 crucial projects during Control Period 6.
- Board minutes revealed a significant underperformance, with £99M left unspent out of the allocated £383M budget.
- Among the abandoned projects are accessibility upgrades at key stations including Queens Park and Battersea Park.
- Disability rights groups express deep disappointment, criticising the setback in equality for rail access.
Network Rail’s ambitious Access For All programme, intended to make railway stations more accessible through the installation of lifts, ramps, and other upgrades, has significantly fallen short of its goals. Despite a budget of £383M allocated for this purpose, only £284M was spent during Control Period 6 (CP6), spanning from 2019 to 2024. This £99M shortfall resulted in 72 projects remaining incomplete, as highlighted in recent board minutes.
Detailed analysis reveals that the programme’s shortcomings were stark, with several projects commenced but not completed. Notably, seven projects originally scheduled in Control Period 5 (2014 to 2019) were left unfinished, while four others were entirely removed from the programme. Key stations such as Queens Park, Battersea Park, Shotton, and Peckham Rye, which were supposed to see significant accessibility improvements, suffered from these cutbacks.
The scale of underperformance led Network Rail to acknowledge its failures, admitting to underachievement in board meetings. A spokesperson for Network Rail stated that various factors contributed to this outcome without expounding further. The organisation is actively reviewing its strategy with the Department for Transport to address these issues over the upcoming years, striving to implement improvements and share best practices across regions.
Disability Rights UK, represented by transport policy adviser Stephen Brookes, articulated their profound disappointment with the situation, describing Network Rail’s explanations as “unacceptably bland.” Brookes stressed the implications of these shortcomings, which delay necessary accessibility advancements and could lead to decreased rail usage by disabled and older persons, impacting revenue at a critical economic juncture.
Network Rail’s internal restructuring aims to enhance oversight and delivery of the Access For All projects, attempting to ensure future programmes meet their targets. The organisation’s spokesperson highlighted ongoing efforts to streamline and coordinate these developments effectively, reinforcing a commitment to rectifying past failures and advancing towards a more accessible rail network.
Network Rail’s underspending has prompted criticism and calls for action to address accessibility gaps in the rail network.
