Manchester Airport Railway Station

dystrophydad

08 Oct 2024

The Station

4

4

Date of visit: October 2024

I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.

I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair

Overall Rating

Good

First opened in 1993, Manchester Airport Station is a transport hub dedicated to airport arrivals and departures from the UK's third busiest station. It's a portal to the world for those who choose not to drive, and with several accessible transport routes, why would you? The location features a train station, a tram station, and a bus station.

Disabled Access In and Around

Good

Navigating the station is straightforward, thanks to clear signage throughout. However, I noticed a lack of braille across the station, though there is tactile marking at the platform edges for both trams and trains. The ticket office has a lowered section and an induction loop, which can also be found on the platforms. There's plenty of seating available throughout the station, including at the platforms and the bus depot. A lift provides access to the platform concourse and the airport skyline. It’s spacious and features a handrail, though it lacks both an induction loop and braille buttons. Level or step-free access is available throughout the station, which I appreciate as a wheelchair user.

Parking & Transport

Good

took the train from Glasgow Central to Manchester Airport, a journey that lasted just under four hours. I travelled on a TransPennine train, where the accessible car and first-class carriage are combined, so I enjoyed a free upgrade and travelled in style. The bus station is located on the Concourse level, accessible by a local lift or stairs for those able to manage steps. While I didn’t use the bus service, I saw several accessible buses, all accessed through automatic sliding doors at the gates. The tram is on the same level as the trains, and with Manchester's Bee Network focusing on accessibility, trams stop level with the platform, allowing wheelchair users to roll right on. Though there are no dedicated parking options here, there is a drop-off point for those arriving by car and storage space for 50 bikes.

Accessible Toilets

Average

I used the toilet shortly after my arrival and found that the red emergency cord had been wrapped around a grab rail. This was the case in both accessible toilets at this location. I made sure to untie them and attach a Euan's Guide Red Cord Card to each, which can be ordered for free at EuansGuide.com. The toilets are clean but show signs of us. The toilets are located in the bus area of this location. Both require a RADAR key and are locked from the inside by raising a handle; the doors open outward. The toilet on the left of the corridor features a low, small sink with a lever tap, soap dispenser, and wall-mounted hand dryer. There are grab rails on either side of the sink and the toilet, though one of the rails is unstable. There is space for a left-side transfer to the toilet, which was clear. The flush is high up on the cistern on the right. The toilet at the back is much the same, though only a right-side transfer is possible. Unfortunately, there's a bin in the space, which would make transferring difficult for most. The flush is located high on the left of the cistern. There's also a sharps bin on the wall, but it's rather high up, which wouldn't help a diabetic person who can't reach that height. There is enough space for an additional person in each toilet for those who need assistance. I would have offered a higher score here if the red cords hadn't been tied up and the grab rail in the first toilet wasn't unsteady.

Staff

Excellent

The staff were very helpful. I hadn't booked a seat for my return from the airport, and I had a TransPennine ticket, which meant I could only take a TransPennine train, but the train I wanted to board had no remaining accessible seats. The staff arranged for me to be moved to a non-TransPennine train and made sure I got to my destination.