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Ticket Office closures – the truth behind the spin
On the 5th of July, the Rail Delivery Group announced a 21-day consultation exercise regarding their proposals to close just short of...

Julian Vaughan
Jul 9, 20236 min read


Step-free project hits the buffers
Since we first started campaigning for step-free access at Biggleswade station I have sat in numerous meetings to discuss the many issues...

Julian Vaughan
Feb 5, 20238 min read


Biggleswade station update – 15th July
This afternoon, representatives from Bedfordshire Rail Access Network (BRAN), Network Rail, GTR, Richard Fuller MP and Central...

Julian Vaughan
Jul 15, 20226 min read


Biggleswade Station Update – 9th May
This morning representatives from Network Rail, Govia Thameslink Railway, Central Bedfordshire Council, Biggleswade Town Council,...

Julian Vaughan
May 9, 20223 min read


When will Labour stand up for a step-free railway?
Blaming the Victorians for a large percentage of our rail network being inaccessible to a significant proportion of the UK public is...

Julian Vaughan
Nov 26, 20216 min read


Covid Report – the treatment of people with disabilities
Whilst the purpose of the Health & Social Care Committee report (published on 12th October) into the government’s response to the...

Julian Vaughan
Oct 13, 20215 min read


Rail accessibility campaigners respond to local MP querying the need for a ‘Head of Inclusion&
The Bedfordshire Rail Access Network (BRAN) campaign group formed in 2017. Its aim is to improve accessibility across the Bedfordshire...

Julian Vaughan
Oct 3, 20213 min read


Biggleswade Transport Hub – 11th May Update
Yesterday the Bedfordshire Rail Access Network team met with Network Rail, GTR, Richard Fuller MP, CBC and Town Councillors to discuss...

Julian Vaughan
May 11, 20215 min read


Roads 1 Step-Free Access 0?
The government’s Levelling Up Fund prospectus published in March 2021 sets out how the Department for Transport (DfT), the Ministry for...

Julian Vaughan
Apr 18, 20212 min read


It’s time for a step-free Leagrave!
Since ‘Access for All’ funding for accessibility improvements to the UK rail network was introduced in 2006, around 200 stations have...

Julian Vaughan
Apr 4, 20218 min read


Disability campaigners respond to Biggleswade transport hub plans
Below is Bedfordshire Rail Access Network’s written response following a meeting with Central Bedfordshire Council regarding the current...

Julian Vaughan
Apr 2, 20214 min read


How the rail industry’s access map lost its way – and how to get it back on track
*** Update 5th March 2021 *** Following the publication of this blog Northern have been in touch and have now amended the descriptions of...

Julian Vaughan
Feb 28, 20218 min read


Biggleswade Step-Free Update – 18th January 2021
I’ve just come out of the latest meeting regarding step-free access at Biggleswade station. The latest developments are as follows: ~...

Julian Vaughan
Jan 18, 20212 min read


Biggleswade access improvements hit the buffers
Unfortunately, I have little positive to say from today’s meeting to discuss progress on step-free access at Biggleswade station. Unless...

Julian Vaughan
Mar 9, 20204 min read


Rail ‘Access Map’ takes the wrong route
In April 2019 the UK rail industry, through the Rail Delivery Group, proudly announced the launch of its new interactive accessibility...

Julian Vaughan
Feb 6, 20206 min read


Disabled people let down by ‘tick box’ attitude to Accessibility
Listening to Nusrat Ghani during the Westminster Hall debate earlier this week discussing the lack of step-free access at Flitwick...

Julian Vaughan
Jul 28, 20193 min read


Flitwick Step-Free Access – Westminster Hall Debate
My brief notes below from the Westminster Hall Debate that took place earlier this week regarding the lack of step-free access at...

Julian Vaughan
Jul 27, 20193 min read


Labour must be bolder on Equal Access
Since the ‘Access for All’ funding scheme was first introduced by the previous Labour government in 2006, the progress of step-free...

Julian Vaughan
Oct 1, 20184 min read
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