Audio guide launches to help blind and partially sighted people access busy train station

An audio guide that assists blind and partially sighted people around Bristol Temple Meads train station has been launched to ensure the station is as accessible as possible for all passengers.

Network Rail has teamed up with Bristol Sight Loss Council (BSLC) to launch a guide that comprises 12 audio files, each file will guide the listener safely through a section of the station, making it far easier to navigate for blind and partially sighted people.

The guide is housed on a dedicated page on the Network Rail website and is easily accessible from any personal device, such as a smartphone or tablet.

Navigating Bristol Temple Meads for blind and partially sighted people has become more challenging since the start of Network Rail’s work to renovate the station’s historic train shed roof. Scaffolding towers have been erected in parts of the station and some areas have become one way only or temporarily closed for access.

With passenger numbers increasing year on year, there are currently around 10 million passengers passing through the station each year.

Watch the video below or visit the Sight Loss Council’s website to learn more.

Network Rail states that it aspires to continue working closely with BSLC and users of the audio guide to further improve the technology and ultimately roll out assistive guides in other stations across the country.

Recently, TGA, a supplier of mobility scooters and wheelchairs, and train operator Northern launched a partnership aimed at making train travel easier with a mobility scooter or wheelchair.