Blindfolded train journey will highlight challenges

Paws on the Platform helps decision-makers understand the challenges people with sight loss face

The mayor and mayoress of Maidstone are set to take a blindfolded train journey to experience the challenges people with sight loss face.

They will be guided through buying a ticket, finding the right platform, boarding the train, locating a seat and disembarking.

Paws on the Platform is a project by the charity Guide Dogs, aimed at highlighting the barriers that people with sight loss have to overcome.

Kent county councillor Shellina Prendergast and Southeastern general manager Kevin Warn will also take part in the experience.

They will travel between Maidstone East and Hollingbourne stations on 19 April.

On arrival at Hollingbourne Station they will have afternoon tea at the new Signal Box Café, which is part of the old ticket office refurbishment.

The journey will be supported by Guide Dogs staff, volunteers and local guide dog owners

Diane Proctor, a member of the Guide Dogs fundraisers in Maidstone, said it is "a unique opportunity for key decision makers" to understand the difficulties and improve experiences.

She said: "Travelling by train can be incredibly challenging for people with sight loss as it can be difficult to know which platform to board the train and when it has reached the right station."

Therese Hammond, project officer at Kent Community Rail Partnership, said "with Southeastern’s support we will endeavour to improve future train travel experiences".

Tina Owusu, head of inclusive customer experience at Southeastern, said travelling by train can be "daunting to some customers, particularly those with accessibility requirements".

She said Southeastern had upgraded its app and journey planner and added: "We're also offering braille stickers to visually impaired customers to help them identify their Southeastern Key smartcard."