Network Rail has finished work at Cardonald station in Glasgow in a bid to improve access for visually impaired passengers.
The improvement work came about after a regular commuter, Linda Mooney raised concerns regarding safety issues with using her cane to identify obstacles whilst making her way through the station and the surrounding vicinity.
Thanks to Linda's feedback, Network Rail has been able to jump to action and alter the station and nearby local areas in order to make it easier for visually impaired people to access the station.
Linda visited the station last week with MSP for Glasgow Pollock, Humza Yousaf and project team members in order to check out the work carried out, which included:
- Extension of the existing public footpath to create a new entrance to station car parking which features two zebra crossings which connect to a platform access ramp and public stairs
- Installation of railings and bollards on the roadway to better define the walking route
- Renewal of the road and car park surfaces
- Repair of public stairs leading to the car park alongside an upgrade of the handrail
- Installing tactile paving at the top and bottom of the public stairs
- Painting the public stairs with (white/yellow) marking to highlight stairs/landing areas
- Creation of a new accessible parking space
- Installing tactile edgings to the footbridge within the station
The project saw Network Rail work with partners ScotRail, Glasgow City Council, Wheatley Homes, Guide Dogs Scotland, and Mr Yousaf, in order to bring all of the necessary changes, delivering improved accessiblity across both the station and surrounding areas.
I am delighted with the quick and effective response of Network Rail and ScotRail to address the issues at Cardonald Station which were highlighted to me by one of my constituents. They took the time to understand the accessibility issues and provided effective solutions.
The station feels much safer and more accessible now. I am proud of this outcome which will help local constituents, commuters and visitors to the area.
Humza Yousaf, MSP for Glasgow Pollock
We are committed to putting passengers first and this project shows that by working together, we can deliver quick, simple, low-cost but effective and meaningful improvements for our passengers.
It is amazing to hear first-hand from our customers the difference these changes have made to their journey. These small but not insignificant works have made a big difference.
Alex Hynes, Managing Director for Scotland's Railway
I am delighted and proud to have been able to support our Guide Dogs service user Linda with the campaign for improvements at Cardonald station.
This makes such a difference to Linda and all visually impaired, disabled and the elderly community as well as the general public when using Cardonald station.
It was also a bonus to see that a disabled parking space has been added to the car park and I was impressed to hear that the improvements only took one week to complete. This has exceeded all expectations.
Many thanks to all for assisting Linda on every part of this journey and helping to make Cardonald station a shining example of what can be done to improve safety for all railway commuters.
Sandra Macdonald, Vision Rehab Specialist at Guide Dogs Scotland
I would like to say a huge thanks for the incredible new look and accessible improvements to Cardonald train station. These changes have significantly improved my independence and confidence in being able to commute independently to and from Glasgow Central as well as other train routes.
I cannot express how much I appreciate everyone's contribution and support to make these improvements happen. I would like to say a huge thank you to Sandra MacDonald from Guide Dogs Scotland, everyone involved from Scotland's Railway and Humza Yousaf MSP.
You not only heard the difficulties I was experiencing and the impact it was having but you also listened, and that makes all the difference in the world for a disabled person.
Linda Mooney
