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Calls Grow for Stronger Accessibility Measures in Great British Railways Bill

Posted in News on Thursday, July 23rd, 2026

The Government's Railways Bill has moved to the House of Lords, where ministers have pledged that accessibility will be central to the new public body, Great British Railways (GBR). Rail Minister Lord Hendy said GBR would become the "directing mind" of the railway, improving services for all passengers and placing disabled travellers at the heart of its work. 
However, disability campaigners and peers argue that the legislation does not yet go far enough. During the bill's second reading in the Lords, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson called for stronger legal protections for disabled passengers, including legislative deadlines for level boarding, more step-free stations and an accessibility charter to improve standards across the rail network. 

Several peers backed these calls, stressing that accessibility should be a core priority rather than an afterthought. Baroness Sal Brinton urged ministers to ensure that promises made during the bill's passage become meaningful improvements for disabled passengers, while Lord Chris Holmes argued that creating an accessible railway is fundamental to delivering an excellent passenger experience for everyone. 

The Railways Bill will now move to its committee stage in the House of Lords, where peers are expected to table amendments aimed at strengthening disability rights and improving accessibility across Britain's rail network. 

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