'Travelling with Confidence' Conference hosted in Birmingham
Alongside the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network and the University of Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education, we were delighted to host a confidence focused on accessibility, inclusivity and knowing what all customers want.
As part of the Railway 200 programme, we set out to look ahead and explore a vital question for the future of rail: how do we design a network that is more accessible, inclusive, and centred around the needs of every customer?
A Collaborative Space for Ideas and Action
The aim of the conference was simple but ambitious: to bring together experts from across the rail industry and academia to share insights, lived experience, and practical examples of what truly accessible travel can—and should—look like. These conversations will help shape the next generation of rail services that West Coast Partnership Development is designing.
The morning opened with an engaging introduction from Paul Plummer, Simon Blainey and Alex Robertson, setting the scene for a series of insightful discussions. Speakers explored the barriers that different groups of passengers face, including:
- Disabled passengers – led by Sarah Rennie (National Centre for Accessible Transport)
- Neurodiverse passengers – presented by Kimberley Harding (WSP)
- Families travelling with children – explored by Caroline Eglinton (WCPD)
- Safety for women and girls – discussed by Daisy Chapman‑Chamberlain (Rail North Partnership)
Each perspective highlighted both the challenges and the opportunities we have as an industry to build a more supportive and intuitive travel experience for all.
Designing the Future Railway
The afternoon sessions continued the momentum. Robert Curran led a thought‑provoking conversation on the role of personalisation in rail travel, followed by insights from Joost Noordewier from WCPD on what the UK can learn from Dutch rail innovation. Alison Smith then explored what the sector needs to prioritise now as we prepare for Great British Railways.
The day concluded with a lively panel discussion featuring Emma Partlow from the National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat), bringing together all the themes of the event and reinforcing the need for shared learning and industry‑wide collaboration.
A Huge Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to every speaker, delegate, and partner who contributed to such a collaborative, energising and insightful event. Your expertise and passion are essential as we work together to design a railway that enables everyone to travel with confidence.