Train operator Northern has unveiled a new facility aimed at assisting disabled passengers at forty of its stations.

Over the last year, Northern has installed the Passenger Assistance Points at thirty-one stations across the north of England, including Windermere in the Lake District, Warrington Central, Rotherham Central and Bradford Interchange in West Yorkshire.

On Wednesday 26 March, the last of the thirty-one was installed at Harrogate station, which also had a ‘Welcome Point’ installed in February.

Each of the Passenger Assistance Points is located close to the ticket office.

Disabled passengers have to visit the ticket office first, from where staff will invite them to sit in the designated area.

A member of staff will then meet them and take them to the train when it is time to board.

Northern has also installed a further nine Meeting Points at unstaffed stations, including at Headingley, Horsforth and Hornbeam Park.

At these stations, disabled passengers will need to wait in the marked area. The conductor will see them when the train arrives and will offer to help them to board the train.

Northern worked with its Accessibility User Group (NAUG) on the project. The group represents disabled people with a variety of access needs.

Northern’s move comes in the wake of the Office for Rail and Road (ORR) panning the operator for providing inadequate help to disabled passengers. In September last year, the ORR submitted a complaint and demanded that Northern improve the assistance that it offers.

A list of stations with the new Passenger Assistance Points can be found here.

“The introduction of new meeting points at 40 of our stations demonstrates yet further progress in our mission to improve accessibility across the network here at Northern.“We would encourage anyone who requires assistance to make use of them.

“We know that travelling by train can be difficult for some people and this is just one of the things we are doing to make their journeys easier.

“Making stations and services across our network more accessible remains a priority and we are constantly reviewing feedback from customers who want to share their experiences so we can continue to make improvements.”

Alex Hornby, Northern’s commercial and customer director