On Wednesday 4th September we had the latest meeting with Network Rail regarding progress (or lack of it) towards a step-free Biggleswade station. The last meeting took place on 24th July and you can read a full update from that meeting here: http://julianvaughan.blog/2024/07/24/access-for-all-biggleswade-july-2024-update/ In brief at the previous meeting we were told that the new quote from the contractors (in the region of £10m) was going to be put to two separate Network Rail funding panel meetings.
However, since the July meeting and in light of the UK-wide ‘deep dive’ review into ‘Access for All’ projects that started in May of this year, more details of this review can be found in an email I received from the Network Rail CEO here: http://julianvaughan.blog/2024/05/03/an-open-letter-to-network-rail-ceo-andrew-haines/ it was decided that “to ensure the cost for the construction phase to complete the project is the best value for the taxpayer” and that the supply chain would be asked to look at options to reduce the cost of delivery – based on the current scope and designs. Therefore, the project did not go before the two funding panel meetings in July/August, as it was clear to the project leads that the new price would not be acceptable.
Leaving aside the fact that disabled people are taxpayers too, and an inaccessible station is of zero value to them, this means there is inevitably going to be yet another delay to this project.
An updated price from the suppliers is expected by the end of September, with the funding approval process due to restart in October.
Unfortunately, this extended delay means that these improvements will clash with the East Coast Digital Programme – a new signalling system which is being installed along the entire East Coast mainline route. We have asked Network Rail for more information about how much this programme will impact the ability of the contractors to work on site when trains aren’t running – in the rail industry these are known as ‘possessions’.
I then had a robust debate with the Network Rail team about the complete lack of official updates from them about the significant delays to this project. I pointed out their complete inability to release anything that even resembles ‘bad news’ and that the public deserved honesty and transparency about an issue that has such a detrimental impact on so many in the area.
They challenged me on this and said their aim is to be open about the issues and they had a new communication team in place. I reiterated that this project was originally scheduled to be completed in late Summer 2022 and to be blunt I had yet to see any evidence of this more transparent approach to the wider public who have waited long enough.
My personal view is that this corporate culture is endemic, and is one that prioritises reputational protection above transparency. Senior Network Rail Public Relations people were present in the meeting, although they did not speak.
I again asked if there had been any change to the scope of the project and they confirmed that there had not. So, the lifts will remain 16-person lifts and the width of the ramp leading up to the main spar of the new bridge will be 2000mm between handrails. However, I did point out that there had actually been a change in the scope as in the latest plans submitted to Central Bedfordshire Council a couple of months ago the roofs had been removed from the main spar of the new bridge and above the new steps – and we were not informed of this by Network Rail.
I then asked if the Network Rail team were confident that Biggleswade station were confident that we would have a step-free Biggleswade station by the end of the decade and if there were any deadlines in place – the project should have been completed within Control Period 6 (the railway is funded in 5-year cycles) which ran from 2019-2024. They said they were confident and indicated that unfinished CP6 ‘Access for All’ projects were now due to all be completed by March 2026 – an extension of two years. It remains to be seen what impact what impact this will have on ‘Access for All’ projects for Control Period 7 announced in May this year. You can find details of these projects here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/railway-stations-awarded-access-for-all-accessibility-funding/railway-stations-awarded-access-for-all-accessibility-funding
As Paul Day, one of the Bedfordshire Rail Access Network team said recently:
“I’m incredibly disappointed and very concerned to hear about the latest delay to this much needed accessible bridge with lifts at Biggleswade railway station, but given my dwindling confidence in Network Rail’s ability to deliver the project at all, not entirely surprised. Once again, it’s really worrying that the needs of disabled people appear to have been pushed to the bottom of the priority list. This is unacceptable to me and out of step with the wider public’s more positive attitude. This means that the disabled and mobility impaired people will still be unable to catch a train from Biggleswade for work, education or leisure for an ongoing undefined period, now over five years after Access for all funding was originally approved.”
As it stands, I am unable to give you any firm date on when we will have lifts installed at Biggleswade. I think Network Rail should be giving you this information, but it seems they are waiting for some good news before putting out any official update.
Disabled people have waited long enough.
Our next meeting with Network Rail is on 9th October and I will provide a further update then.
*Added 7th September* I should add that our team really wants to work constructively with Network Rail. We take no pleasure in having to keep providing these negative updates. However, the constant changing of the project team and a wider culture within the rail industry that does not genuinely prioritise accessibility (whatever they say) makes this far more difficult than it should be. We need actions, not words.
Julian Vaughan
Chair Bedfordshire Rail Access Network
7th September 2024
Further reading:
A decade of step-free delay: http://julianvaughan.blog/2024/08/09/a-decade-of-step-free-delay/
Starmer, Rail Accessibility and Tanni GT: http://julianvaughan.blog/2024/09/01/starmer-rail-accessibility-and-tanni-gt/
Access for All nominated stations: http://julianvaughan.blog/2024/07/17/access-for-all-nominated-stations/
Can we afford not to have an accessible railway: http://julianvaughan.blog/2024/07/16/can-we-afford-not-to-have-an-accessible-railway/
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