British Paralympic legend and disability rights advocate, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, has expressed her gratitude to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and Merseyrail for demonstrating what is possible in making rail travel fully accessible.
The multiple gold medalist experienced the city region’s new 777 train fleet after hosting the 2025 Liverpool City Region for All forum at ACC Liverpool. This event gathered disability experts, stakeholders, and businesses to discuss best practices for enhancing accessibility within the Liverpool City Region’s visitor economy.
As a wheelchair user, Tanni was warmly welcomed by passengers at Liverpool Central Station. She used the lift to reach the platform and boarded the train independently, thanks to the sliding step and level boarding system installed on the new £500 million fleet.
She then travelled on the northern line, before disembarking 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.”
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
Image and Video credit: Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
