Calls for better station announcements to help visually impaired users

An MP is campaigning for improvements to help visually impaired passengers at stations.

Leicester East MP Shivani Raja (Conservative) put a question to the Department for Transport, after being contacted by a constituent who was unhappy with their response from Network Rail about non-existent or barely audible automated announcements at Birmingham New Street.

The constituent was told it was “not feasible to make announcements for every service”, and that while staff try to announce alterations, customer feedback was that “too many announcements result in them becoming background noise”.

Raja asked what steps are being taken to increase announcements and platform assistance. DfT replied that station work must meet accessibility standards and that accessibility was “at the heart” of its passenger-focused approach.

Network Rail told RAIL that announcements for arrival, platform and departure of each train were previously made at New Street.

A spokesperson said: “Because of the high number of trains each day, the number of announcements risked becoming confusing and overwhelming for passengers, so the decision was made to only announce the arrival of trains to keep our communication simple.”

They also admitted that several platforms have no working PA system, and could not give a date as to when this would be resolved.

According to Raja’s constituent, London Liverpool Street station also has only the bare minimum of announcements from speakers on the concourse.

In a joint statement, Network Rail and Greater Anglia said: “The public address system for the UK’s busiest station broadcasts a range of helpful passenger information, including security and service alternation or disruption messages. Other announcements can also be made if required.”

They also said they “try to balance the amount of information being broadcast and volume”, and that customers could also get help from information points or station staff.

By Jonathan Webb.