Southeastern station staff at Gravesend proudly supported Gravesham Access Group’s annual Disability Awareness Day.
Set-up to help raise awareness of the everyday challenges that people with disabilities face, the Access Group highlighted these difficulties by conducting a walk around Gravesham. Participants, including Adam Holloway MP for Gravesham and Gravesham Borough councillors and officers, were invited to be either blindfolded or experience reduced mobility.
With the assistance of Southeastern station staff, participants were invited to test Gravesend station’s accessibility by crossing from platform 0 to platform 2, making the most of the station’s step-free access.
Before arriving at Gravesend station, the group traced a simple route through Gravesham town centre; walking from the disabled parking bays in Lord Street, down the High Street and through Thamesgate shopping centre.
Richard Cook, co-ordinator of the Gravesham Access Group’s Awareness Day commented; “The Awareness Day is a great way of highlighting some of the difficulties Gravesham city centre poses people with disabilities. The Access Group would like to thank the councillors who participated and Southeastern for its support of the day.”
Gravesend Station Manager Neil Puplett said; “We were delighted to get involved with the Awareness Day. I would like to remind passengers to please approach our staff if they require any assistance with travelling from our station. They are on-hand and happy to help.”
Gurdip Bungar, Gravesham Borough Councilor said; “Being blindfolded for the day was a very interesting experience as it brought to light some of the everyday challenges those with disabilities face. We will continue working with the Access Group to ensure life is made easier for people with disabilities.”
Southeastern offer Assisted Travel to passengers with disabilities. The pre-booked service provides passengers with a number of services including station wheelchairs, wheelchair ramps on trains and guides to help passengers with reduced mobility or impaired vision. As well as Priority Seats, Southeastern also offer Priority Seating Cards and Badges, which passengers can show the occupants of seats without having to cause a fuss or having to explain themselves.
Gravesham Access Group is a local organisation that works with local authorities to promote access for all. Membership of the group is free and open to any individual or organisation with an interest in disability issues.
For more information on our Priority Seats and Priority Cards, please visit https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/on-board/priority-seating.
If you wish to book assisted travel please fill Southeastern’s online booking formwww.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/more-travel-help/assisted-travel.
The new Southeastern timetable starts on Sunday 20 May, and includes major changes to train times across our network. Please make time before you travel to check whether your journey has changed https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/timetables.
