Great access, mixed feelings about special assistance
4
4
Date of visit: July 2023
I have experience of challenges around: moving around
Overall Rating
Good
Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station is the main train station in Edinburgh and is where trains from England arrive. The station has very good access and my review is based on my outward and departing journeys.
Disabled Access In and Around
Excellent
The station is step free by use of lifts. When I arrived I took a lift which came out directly onto Princess Street, which was very handy. On my return journey, I used the same lift to get into the station and this brought me out into the concourse. At one side there was a rail information desk (see photo), which was written on the side Mobility Assistance. This could have done with better signposting. Behind the information desk was a large seated area and the accessible toilet.
Parking & Transport
Excellent
The mainline station has excellent train services to other parts of Scotland and to England. The station is located at the east end of Princess Street, a major shopping street, on which there are several bus routes. St Andrew's Square tram stop about 5 minutes away, which connects with Edinburgh Airport.
Accessible Toilets
Excellent
The accessible toilet I used was very spacious. To enter you required a RADAR key and the keyhole was on the wall on the side and not in the door itself. Next to the keyhole was a light which showed if the toilet was free or occupied. The toilet itself was very spacious. There was also a shower with a shower seat. There were plenty of grabrails. There was an emergency cord next to the toilet and one by the shower, both reaching towards the floor. The toilet was clean, tidy and clutter free. The station also has a Changing Places toilet which I did not see on my visit.
Staff
Average
Arrival: I had booked special assistance at the time of booking my train ticket, over a month in advance. However, no one met me off the train. I waited. One of the cleaning staff came round and he went to get help for me (thank you). Someone arrived soon and said that they would just go and get a wheelchair. When assistance arrived it was very helpful and supportive. However, travelling on my own it is very stressful waiting to see if someone will turn up to help you. Return journey: I went to the special assistance desk and the member of staff was very helpful. Assistance came quickly. They helped me with my case but did not offer me a wheelchair. However, they did walk at my very slow pace. They also alerted the guard on the train that I had boarded, as I was travelling to Galashiels, which is an unmanned station, so the onboard staff had to assist me off the train when I arrived. When the guard came to check the tickets, she was already aware by the special assistance staff that I was on the train.
Additional Information
The station itself is very accessible, however, it feels very daunting when you are not met off the train and this is what marked it down.
