London Euston launches first sign language station announcements
From today 10 passenger information touchscreens have gone live around the major transport hub.
London Euston is the first train station in the UK to provide the latest passenger information using British Sign Language.
From today (2 June) 10 passenger information touchscreens have gone live around the major Network Rail managed transport hub.
A further 10 will installed in the station by the end of the 2021.
In the coming weeks an additional large screen will be unveiled beside the arrival and departure boards on the main concourse.
The touchscreens are available so passengers can choose to receive signed travel information.
This is thanks to a pioneering partnership with Leicester-based company Clarion UK.
Its sign language interpreters have created a library of standard messaging as part of the screen software.
But in railway first its staff will provide passengers with signed information as situations evolve or during periods of unexpected disruption.
Within an hour messaging can be turned into British sign language and uploaded directly to the screens using 4G technology.
James Dean, Network Rail’s West Coast South route director, said:
“We understand that rail travel can be daunting for anyone with additional needs and we’re always looking at ways we can improve accessibility so everyone can travel with confidence.
“We’re really excited to have these screens installed and in action to see the real difference they will make for passengers who use British sign language. Euston station is proud to be leading the way, but I really hope that in future screens like these will be the norm on the railway and not an exception.”
The hope is that the British sign language screens will be rolled out to other Network Rail managed stations across the country.