Millions of people are effectively barred from using Britain’s public transport because of outdated stations and poor accessibility, a new report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) argues, warning that “shiny new trains” alone will not fix a fractured system.

The report, En route to inclusive public transport, describes inaccessible infrastructure as a “nationwide transport failure hiding in plain sight”. It says barriers such as a lack of step‑free access, missing tactile paving, inadequate lifts, poor signage and cramped or poorly designed waiting areas deny people access to work, education and healthcare – with knock‑on costs for the economy as the population ages.

Engineers and transport campaigners have said the problem is twofold where many recent procurement processes have not required accessibility to be built in from the outset and retrofits after projects are finished are more expensive and slower to deliver. The IMechE recommends “disability smart procurement” – making features such as tactile paving, lifts and accessible signage mandatory in initial tenders – and treating retrofitting as core infrastructure investment rather than a discretionary add‑on.

The report highlights the wide range of people who can face barriers using public transport: disabled people, older passengers, neurodivergent people, women, families with young children, those in rural areas and some LGBTQ+ people. It stresses that with an ageing population, many more people will need accessible transport in future.

Research cited in the report suggests physical obstacles – steps, steep slopes, missing or distant lifts, inadequate seating and lack of accessible toilets – combine with informational and systemic failings, such as inaccessible announcements and poor timetable information at stops. A 2023 survey by Transport for All is referenced, finding around 40% of railway stations lacked tactile paving for blind or partially sighted people.

The IMechE argues that exclusion from transport is not just a social or health issue but an economic one. People unable to travel are less able to access jobs, training and services, the report says, reducing labour market participation and dampening local economic activity. It calls for targeted funding to address the worst‑offending locations first , prioritising places that cause the greatest exclusion, not the easiest or cheapest upgrades.

Alongside procurement changes, the report puts forward practical measures for government, regulators, operators and engineers, including:

  • Creating a single, government‑owned data platform to bring together consistent network and accessibility data so operators and infrastructure owners can plan improvements collaboratively
  • Linking accessibility standards to measurable, national metrics so progress can be tracked
  • Establishing a single, ring‑fenced funding programme for accessibility across transport modes
  • Reforming incentives for innovation so successful accessibility solutions can be scaled beyond pilot schemes
  • Embedding inclusive design in engineering education and professional development to raise baseline expertise across the sector
  • Making co‑production – involving disabled and disadvantaged users throughout design and retrofit projects – a standard practice

The report frames engineers as central to delivering a more inclusive network, from rolling stock design and station architecture to maintenance and data systems. It notes pockets of good practice in the UK and overseas but argues these are not yet widespread.

Policy Connect head of accessible transport Clive Gilbert is quoted in the report arguing that “now is an opportune moment for ambitious change” and that stakeholders should adopt a joined‑up path towards accessibility. The IMechE’s call comes as ministers have pursued high‑profile projects including new train fleets and major rail upgrades – initiatives the report says have limited value if long‑standing barriers at existing stations and interchanges are left unaddressed.

Campaigners have long highlighted the scale of the problem arguing that successive government accessibility strategies have set targets, for example improving step‑free access at a number of stations.

The report concludes with a stark challenge to policymakers  and states: “if transport works for the people who struggle most to use it, it will work better for everyone.” It urges ministers to prioritise retrofit spending, overhaul procurement rules and create the data and training frameworks needed to turn policy commitments into tangible changes for passengers.

IMechE director of engineering policy and impact James Partington said: “Most of today’s transport system was never designed to be inclusive — and that is where the biggest failure lies.

“Accessibility will not be achieved by new projects alone. The greatest need is in the infrastructure people are using right now, it needs to be made fit for purpose and available to all. It doesn’t matter how many wonderfully accessible new trains are commissioned, if it remains impossible for everyone to get to the platform unaided.

“There needs to be a total reset in how transport success is judged — away from box-ticking and towards real-world outcomes. People with disabilities need to be included in developing transport system from the very start of any project.

“Accessibility is no longer a ‘nice to have’. It is the test of whether public transport is fit for purpose. If people cannot complete a journey safely and independently, the system is broken.”

House of Commons Transport Select Committee chair Ruth Cadbury said:”I am delighted to see the IMechE focus its attention on this chronically overlooked subject.

“Inclusive transport services don’t just benefit the most vulnerable, they make travelling safer, more equitable and more enjoyable for everyone.

“I look forward to discussing the institution’s report and its findings on improving the physical environment of transport services, so that inclusivity can become the norm rather than the exception.”

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Making sure everyone can access public transport is our top priority, and while much of the railway was designed when accessibility wasn’t a consideration, we’re working to make trains more accessible for everyone.

“We have given step-free upgrades to more than 270 stations across Britain and as we set up Great British Railways, we are taking more steps to improve the day-to-day travel experience for disabled passengers and others needing assistance.”

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