On Wednesday 28th January 2026, my usual journey to work in Cardiff faced unexpected challenges. My routine begins with a lift to the train station, then a train into Cardiff, followed by a taxi ride to the Spinal Injury Centre in Llandough where I work as an Independent Living Advisor for Aspire. This weekly commute is vital for my work and independence.

However, that day, I arrived at the station only to be told that the train I planned to take wasn’t running. Instead, a substitute coach was provided, but there was one significant problem: it was not accessible for a wheelchair. The staff offered to arrange a taxi to the next train station, but they could not guarantee that the vehicle would be wheelchair accessible, adding uncertainty to an already frustrating situation.

To make matters worse, I was informed that the lifts at platform 1 in Cardiff (which was the platform which the train would be arriving at) were out of service. With no operational lifts, I couldn’t safely exit the platform, which would subsequently leave me stranded and unable to complete my journey.

These issues disrupted my entire day, and as the train was the most crucial part of my long journey, I had no choice but to return home and take the day off as annual leave. It’s important to note that the ongoing works at the train station, which are expected to continue until Friday 6th February 2026 are contributing to these accessibility challenges.

Accessibility isn’t just about convenience, it’s about safety, independence, and equality. I hope that transit authorities will address these problems promptly so that travellers with mobility needs aren’t faced with such obstacles in the future.

Did you know that Back Up offers a range of in-person and online courses to improve confidence when travelling? These include their City Skills courses as well as online Accessible Travel Toolkit and Wheelchair Skills App.

Did you know SIA has a travel hub?  "The ultimate resource for accessible travel advice, information and support."

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