En route to the Paralympics this week, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson , a Paralympian herself, had to crawl off an LNER train after it terminated at London King’s Cross because no one was available to help her disembark. It is inexcusable, and yet it happens on our transport network every single day. Disabled passengers are often left stranded, sometimes relying on strangers – who are not insured – for assistance.
In 2024, this isn’t just shocking – it’s unacceptable. As head of policy at the disability rights organisation Transport for All, I advocate for accessible transport every day. Yet my own experiences show how much work is still needed.
Before the general election , I travelled to London for a meeting in Parliament on rail accessibility. The irony wasn’t lost on me when, like Baroness Grey-Thompson, I found myself stranded on the train at King’s Cross. I was left, out of sight of platform staff, trapped inside a train with no way of knowing if anyone would come to help.
There were no emergency alarms to get the driver’s attention, I couldn’t even be sure if the driver was still on board. My awful experience is a reality for many disabled travelers who require assistance. It’s appalling that in 2024, we still face these issues.
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