Business Travel


Student aid is just the ticket


Students at the Queen Alexandra College in Harborne are better able to travel independently on public transport, thanks to support from National Express West Midlands. The college was originally set up to provide


education for the blind and visually impaired. It now also offers support and guidance to


students on the autistic spectrum, those with moderate to severe learning difficulties, as well as students with physical disabilities and other needs. Every year National Express inspector Mark Rea


takes a bus to the college so that the students can learn how to travel safely and independently. He said: “We provide disability awareness training


for our drivers which helps them support customers who have different types of disabilities. “We’re always looking at what we can do to


increase customer satisfaction and confidence in using public transport and it’s a pleasure being able to support local students to travel independently.” Students are able to explore the bus and


familiarise themselves with the layout in an unpressured setting, helping them to develop their confidence to travel independently. Mark also talks to students to make sure they’re


Travels tips: National Express inspector Mark Rea with Simon Breed from the college


aware that National Express bus drivers can support them if they have any difficulties whilst travelling. Simon Breed, rehabilitation and travel training


officer at Queen Alexandra College, said: “It can be a challenging goal for students with various disabilities and this service provides not only an opportunity to experience bus travel but also greatly decreases lots of anxiety issues for our students.”


Sector Focus


Stechford station upgrade underway


Work has started on a £3.9m upgrade to Stechford station, where new lifts, ramps and a footbridge will be installed to provide step free access across all three platforms. The work is due to be completed


for West Midlands Railway passengers by the end of 2019. A temporary footbridge will be


built to minimise disruption to passengers while the work continues. The station, located on the West


Coast Mainline and on the line between Birmingham New Street and Birmingham International, has regular direct services to and from London every day. The investment has come directly


from the Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ programme and forms part of Network Rail’s five- year Railway Upgrade Plan. Harpreet Singh Moore, Network


Rail scheme project manager, said: “Network Rail will unlock the railway network for many people in and around Stechford, allowing them easy access to travel that was previously not possible.” Richard Brooks, customer


experience director for West Midlands Railway, said: “Improving accessibility at Stechford is a key part of our plans for local rail users.”


April 2019 CHAMBERLINK 73


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