Phil Towers

TransPennine Express (TPE) has today introduced British Sign Language (BSL) passenger information boards at Leeds Train Station. 

The digital screens, which display live departure information as well as station announcements, are being installed throughout the rail network as part of a drive to improve accessibility. 

Travellers can now see information such as platform changes and other service information without having to rely on spoken announcements or written screens. 

Fran Barrett, Business Assurance Director at TPE, said: “A large proportion of the deaf community cannot read as it’s difficult to learn to do so when you cannot hear the language being spoken, therefore the introduction of these boards is a necessity for those who communicate via BSL. 

“We’re extremely proud to become one of the first train operators in the North to install the BSL message boards.” 

The boards have been welcomed by the Leeds Hearing & Sight Loss Service, who said: “This small change makes a huge difference to the independence of the deaf community. 

“Hopefully this will reduce the amount of anxiety the deaf community feel when travelling. 

“It is nice to see that barriers are slowly being broken.” 

They also say they hope to see further improvements, including screens on trains, so that the whole journey is made more accessible. 

“I’m very pleased to see the screens at Leeds train station. They have been a long time coming. As a BSL user myself, this will make a big difference on whether I travel on trains or drive into work. In the past I’ve been unable to hear the announcements for change of platforms or delays, this is very frustrating and leaves me anxious. It would be good to see the screens on the trains too. It’s an improvement and it will make things easier at the start of my journey. Hopefully more changes will follow for the full journey.”

Leeds Hearing & Sight Loss Service

The introduction comes as West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has once again raised concerns about the performance of TransPennine Express. 

Writing to Transport Secretary Mark Harper, she says that the train operator “needs to start afresh under new ownership,” claiming that passengers are subjected to poor performance and persistent cancellations. 

The current agreement to operate the franchise runs until the end of May, but there is no sign yet of a decision on its future.