GWR station access codes: anomalies?

[whole diary]

[Bmblbzzz]

From last month's timetable change, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) have decided (or been told?) to classify all their stations into three categories by accessibility and list them in timetables. Just in case anyone hasn't seen them, these are:
A: This station has step-free access to all platforms.
B: This station has a degree of step-free access to the platform, which may be in both directions or in one direction only. Check details on our website.
C: This station does not have step-free access any platform.

But I've noticed a few classifications that don't look quite right to me. For instance, Freshford is given category C, although the Bath-bound platform has no steps at all. So surely that should be B? Keynsham is also given C although there is level access to the up platform from the car park and a ramp to the down side, so I'd have thought that makes it A.

I didn't spot any instances of stations being given a higher category than I'd expect, which would be worse, but inaccurately downgrading is also bad for disabled travellers as it might unnecessarily put them off an actually do-able journey.

[Oxonhutch]

Platform heights? Gap between train and platform? Could there may be other qualifiers than just stairs?

[grahame]

Platform heights? Gap between train and platform? Could there may be other qualifiers than just stairs?

Other items ... I do know that a slope of more than ??% is regarded as not flat [enough] for wheelchair access.

[Bmblbzzz]

Yes, I guess that must be it. Heights, curves and so on (though Temple Meads gets an A despite the curves).
Slopes: Does this refer to slopes within the station or outside as well? Certainly Freshford is at the bottom of a rather steep hill! (but the highway isn't going to be their concern? Then again, the station car park – indistinguishable from the road for practical purposes – might also be too sloping).

[Adrian]

Do all ToCs have to grade their stations like this?  I notice that stations that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) don't operate don't have a grade listed in their timetables, even though every other detail about these stations is given.

[grahame]

Do all ToCs have to grade their stations like this?  I notice that stations that GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) don't operate don't have a grade listed in their timetables, even though every other detail about these stations is given.

From ORR^» (Office of Rail and Road formerly Office of Rail Regulation - about) (page 46 of that document!)

Station accessibility classification system
Every station must be allocated by operators to one of three categories A-C and described in public facing information provided by the operator (including station maps, timetables and posters, and the station accessibility information provided alongside the Accessible Travel Policy as described in Section 4, A2.2 of this guidance) as follows:
Category A: "This station has step-free access to all platforms / the platform”
Category B: "This station has a degree of step-free access to the platform, which may be
in both directions or in one direction only - please check details."
Category C: "This station does not have step-free access to any platform."

Also noting it talks about gradient and length - which could be the issue at places like Keynsham. Reference is to new build which is probably a tighter standards than used to be...

Category A
The station has step-free access to and between all platforms, at all times trains are running, via level access, lifts or ramps (in accordance with new-build standards re gradient/length). Additional station entrances or walking routes not meeting the A criteria are permitted, providing the additional walking distance to avoid these is no more than 100m.

[froome]

I think the gradient and length issue referred to refers to having level sections at set lengths along any slope. This was added into the standards following consultation with disability groups I believe. Keynsham ramp was I understand built to these standards, hence its long overall length, which is needed to include the level sections.

Freshford has level access to the Bath-bound platform from the highway.

So Keynsham should be graded A and Freshford B (as Freshford does not have step-free access to the other platform).

I don't think height from platform to carriage would be counted, as no train anywhere on the overground service (at least in GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) land) provides this.

[Bmblbzzz]

Wasn't Keynsham's ramp put in recently? Perhaps it was graded before that?

The gradient seems to apply to the ramps, according to that document (thanks for that, grahame).

Odd that while all TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) have to categorise their stations, they don't have to provide the information for other TOCs stations even though they're in the timetables.

[Adrian]

Odd that while all TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) have to categorise their stations, they don't have to provide the information for other TOCs stations even though they're in the timetables.

And not at all helpful if you can't manage the stairs and need to travel, say, from Southampton to Cardiff.