I wish Baroness Tanni all the best with her research and I am delighted that she has highlighted the good work going on in Liverpool. I would welcome the opportunity to speak with Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson about my own travel nightmares with Virgin Atlantic that I have documented in the following blog.
I am given full credit to Birkenhead News for this article, although no writer was given credit for this well written story, but whoever composed it can take a bow.
***
The multiple gold medallist tried out the city region’s new 777 fleet of trains after hosting the 2025 Liverpool City Region for All forum at ACC Liverpool.
The event brought together disability experts, stakeholders, and businesses to explore best practices for improving accessibility within the Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy.
Wheelchair user Tanni was greeted by passengers as she passed through Liverpool Central Station, using the lift to reach the platform and accessing the train unaided with the help of a sliding step, level boarding system fitted to the new £500m fleet.
From there she travelled on the northern line, before getting off the train and returning to Liverpool.
Tanni said, “I talk a lot about my aspirations for level boarding on trains. I’m in Liverpool. I’m here to see [the new trains] in action and I can’t wait.”
Following the journey, Tanni gave her verdict adding, “Level boarding is amazing and the information on the train is really helpful. It shows me the accessible stations and where the toilets are.”
“I got on the train, and I got off the train. I can just go and live my life. So, to Merseyrail and Liverpool City Region: thank you – it shows it can be done.”
Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson
Tanni rated the journey as one of the most comfortable she’s experienced and put the new publicly owned fleet at the top of the table for accessibility, encouraging other train services to follow its lead.
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said, “Public transport should be for everyone, connecting communities to friends, family, jobs and exciting opportunities—but for too long, many people have been excluded from our local rail network because it simply didn’t meet their needs.
“That’s why since being elected Mayor, I’ve made it a priority to make our rail network fully accessible by 2030, with our £500m publicly owned trains at the heart of that ambition. Thanks to their pioneering level boarding system, we’re ensuring that every passenger—regardless of mobility—can travel with independence and dignity.
“I’m delighted that Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has given our new fleet her seal of approval and had a smooth and enjoyable journey across our network. Her experience is proof that fully accessible rail travel is possible, and it’s happening right here in the Liverpool City Region. We are on track to have the most accessible rail network in the country, and I won’t stop until that becomes a reality.”
Step-free access from pavement to platform is available at 61 of the city region’s 87 railway stations with further accessibility improvements underway at Aigburth and Rock Ferry, and Port Sunlight and Walton next on the list. Once completed, 80% of the city region’s station will have step-free access for passengers with reduced mobility and those with bikes and prams, making the network the country’s most accessible.
In the last decade lifts have been installed at Formby, Birkenhead North, Orrell Park, Meols, Birkenhead Park, Hunts Cross, Hillside and St Michael’s, while new stations at Maghull North and Headbolt Lane have been designed to a high level of accessibility.
As a wheelchair racer, Tanni won 11 Paralympic gold medals, held more than 30 world records and won the London Marathon six times. After retiring from track competition, Tanni became a TV presenter and a leading disability rights campaigner – frequently highlighting accessibility challenges on transport. She was created a life peer in 2010.
If you’d like to find out more about the accessibility options available across the City Region transport network, please visit Merseytravel | Liverpool City Region Travel Information.
Why not follow Birkenhead News on Facebook, Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads? You can also send story ideas or letters to the editor to news@birkenhead.news
