Millions of people are effectively barred from using Britain\u2019s public transport because of outdated stations and poor accessibility, a new report from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) argues, warning that “shiny new trains” alone will not fix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.<\/p>\n
The report, En route to inclusive public transport, describes inaccessible infrastructure as a \u201cnationwide transport failure hiding in plain sight\u201d. It says barriers such as a lack of step\u2011free access, missing tactile paving, inadequate lifts, poor signage and cramped or poorly designed waiting areas deny people access to work, education and healthcare \u2013 with knock\u2011on costs for the economy as the population ages.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cdisability smart procurement\u201d \u2013 making features such as tactile paving, lifts and accessible signage mandatory in initial tenders \u2013 and treating retrofitting as core infrastructure investment rather than a discretionary add\u2011on.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Research cited in the report suggests physical obstacles \u2013 steps, steep slopes, missing or distant lifts, inadequate seating and lack of accessible toilets \u2013 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.<\/p>\n
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\u2011offending locations first , prioritising places that cause the greatest exclusion, not the easiest or cheapest upgrades.<\/p>\n
Alongside procurement changes, the report puts forward practical measures for government, regulators, operators and engineers, including:<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Policy Connect head of accessible transport Clive Gilbert is quoted in the report arguing that \u201cnow is an opportune moment for ambitious change\u201d and that stakeholders should adopt a joined\u2011up path towards accessibility. The IMechE\u2019s call comes as ministers have pursued high\u2011profile projects including new train fleets and major rail upgrades \u2013 initiatives the report says have limited value if long\u2011standing barriers at existing stations and interchanges are left unaddressed.<\/p>\n
Campaigners have long highlighted the scale of the problem arguing that successive government accessibility strategies have set targets, for example improving step\u2011free access at a number of stations.<\/p>\n
The report concludes with a stark challenge to policymakers\u00a0 and states: \u201cif transport works for the people who struggle most to use it, it will work better for everyone.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
IMechE director of engineering policy and impact James Partington said: \u201cMost of today\u2019s transport system was never designed to be inclusive \u2014 and that is where the biggest failure lies.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccessibility 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\u2019t matter how many wonderfully accessible new trains are commissioned, if it remains impossible for everyone to get to the platform unaided.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere needs to be a total reset in how transport success is judged \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAccessibility is no longer a \u2018nice to have\u2019. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
House of Commons Transport Select Committee chair Ruth Cadbury said:\u201dI am delighted to see the IMechE focus its attention on this chronically overlooked subject.<\/p>\n
\u201cInclusive transport services don\u2019t just benefit the most vulnerable, they make travelling safer, more equitable and more enjoyable for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cI look forward to discussing the institution\u2019s report and its findings on improving the physical environment of transport services, so that inclusivity can become the norm rather than the exception.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: \u201cMaking sure everyone can access public transport is our top priority, and while much of the railway was designed when accessibility wasn\u2019t a consideration, we\u2019re working to make trains more accessible for everyone.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n