Sight Loss Councils partner with Avanti West Coast to improve rail accessibility
Sight Loss Councils are working with Avanti West Coast on a year-long project to improve accessibility and build confidence in rail travel for blind and partially sighted people.
The partnership forms part of Sight Loss Councils‘ (SLC) wider work to make rail travel more accessible across England. Working alongside Avanti West Coast, SLC members will use their lived experience to help identify barriers, shape improvements and ensure the voices of blind and partially sighted passengers are at the heart of accessibility planning.
Improving accessibility across six stations
The project will focus on six stations across the Avanti West Coast network:
- Lancaster
- Preston
- Stafford
- Stockport
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Wigan North Western
As part of the project, SLCs will carry out accessibility assessments at each station and will work with Avanti West Coast to develop audio station guides. The guides will provide information about station layouts, facilities, and navigation routes, helping passengers plan journeys and travel more independently.
The project is already underway, with accessibility assessments completed at all six stations. During the visits, SLC members reviewed a range of accessibility features including signage, lighting, help points, tactile markings, and the overall ease of navigating stations independently.
The findings will be shared with Avanti West Coast to highlight good practice and identify opportunities for improvement.
Greater Manchester SLC testing a passenger assistance help point
Putting lived experience at the heart of accessibility
Kelly Barton, Engagement Manager for North West England, said:
“Accessible public transport is an absolute must for blind and partially sighted people – and we know that there is still some way to go. So, we are delighted to be working with Avanti on this project to make these stations more accessible.
“From developing audio guides through to delivering vision awareness sessions to passenger assistance staff, we are keen to make train travel feel less daunting for blind and partially sighted passengers.”
Richard Zimbler, a member of Greater Manchester SLC, said:
“I think it’s great that we’re working with Avanti at Stockport, Wigan, Preston and Lancaster stations, and that Sight Loss Councils are involved in helping to facilitate access assessments, audio guides, staff training and Try a Train events.
“As someone who is registered blind, I feel it’s important that Sight Loss Councils are involved and that the stations taking part in the project are listening to the views of blind and partially sighted people. By making stations more accessible and improving the passenger experience, we can help people feel more confident about using rail travel and ensure the voices of blind and partially sighted people are at the heart of this project.”
Louise Connop, Senior Engagement Manager for South England, said:
“Accessible public transport is essential for blind and partially sighted people to travel independently and stay connected to their communities. Across the West Midlands, we regularly hear from people with sight loss about the barriers they face when using public transport, from navigating complex station environments to accessing clear and consistent travel information.
“That’s why we’re delighted to be working with Avanti West Coast on this project. By carrying out accessibility assessments, raising awareness through lived experience and developing audio station guides, we’re helping to remove barriers and make rail travel more inclusive and less daunting for blind and partially sighted passengers. It’s particularly encouraging to see Avanti placing lived experience at the heart of its accessibility planning, ensuring that the voices of blind and partially sighted people help shape meaningful improvements.”
Klaudia, Staffordshire SLC member, added:
“It’s great to partner up with Avanti to improve rail services for blind and partially sighted passengers at Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford railway stations. The Staffordshire SLC team members all have lived experience and are local to these train stations.
“To be involved with the management team for them is important to assess and improve accessibility for train travel. Ever since I was young, I have always loved trains and am a frequent train user, so personally, I am delighted to help with this project.”
Staffordshire SLC outside Stafford railway station
Looking ahead
Over the coming months, Sight Loss Councils will continue working with Avanti West Coast to develop audio station guides, deliver vision awareness sessions, and support Try a Train events.
Together, these activities will help identify practical improvements. They will also help blind and partially sighted people travel with greater confidence and independence.
To learn more about Sight Loss Councils’ wider work to improve accessibility across the rail network, visit our Make Trains Accessible page.
Join us
Passionate about making a difference? Want to influence positive change? Our Sight Loss Councils, led by blind and partially sighted volunteers, are recruiting new members. Join us today!
We use our lived experience to create positive change for others. Together, we tackle local issues and work with businesses and service providers to improve the accessibility of their services.
Join us to help ensure blind and partially sighted people in your area can live the lives they want to lead.
Publication date: 17 July 2026