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Best Practice in Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility
Best Practice in Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility
Best Practice in Diversity, Inclusivity and Accessibility
Submission Criteria
Previous Winner
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Inclusive design and engagement.
Evidence of improvements for a transport service or facility.
Introduction of a new policy or training aimed at improving diversity, inclusivity or accessibility.
Submission Criteria
Previous Winner
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Inclusive design and engagement.
Evidence of improvements for a transport service or facility.
Introduction of a new policy or training aimed at improving diversity, inclusivity or accessibility.
Submission Criteria
Previous Winner
A submission in this category should demonstrate
Inclusive design and engagement.
Evidence of improvements for a transport service or facility.
Introduction of a new policy or training aimed at improving diversity, inclusivity or accessibility.
Alstom
World’s first Pride parade on a train
In a landmark moment for the rail industry and the global LGBTQ+ community, the team behind Alstom and Journey delivered the world’s first Pride parade on a train at The Greatest Gathering in Derby. Held on 2 August 2025 during the world’s largest-ever gathering of historic and modern trains, this event was a vibrant celebration of inclusion, visibility and unity across UK rail. The parade brought together LGBTQ+ colleagues from Alstom, Angel Trains, AtkinsRéalis, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Hitachi Rail and Transport for London (TfL), led by drag performers and rail professionals including Alexander Garnett-Scherer (TfL), Lee Nicholson- Brown (London Underground), and Medusa Has Been. Over three days, The Greatest Gathering welcomed over 40,000 visitors and showcased over 140 rail vehicles.
Alstom
World’s first Pride parade on a train
In a landmark moment for the rail industry and the global LGBTQ+ community, the team behind Alstom and Journey delivered the world’s first Pride parade on a train at The Greatest Gathering in Derby. Held on 2 August 2025 during the world’s largest-ever gathering of historic and modern trains, this event was a vibrant celebration of inclusion, visibility and unity across UK rail. The parade brought together LGBTQ+ colleagues from Alstom, Angel Trains, AtkinsRéalis, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Hitachi Rail and Transport for London (TfL), led by drag performers and rail professionals including Alexander Garnett-Scherer (TfL), Lee Nicholson- Brown (London Underground), and Medusa Has Been. Over three days, The Greatest Gathering welcomed over 40,000 visitors and showcased over 140 rail vehicles.
Alstom
World’s first Pride parade on a train
In a landmark moment for the rail industry and the global LGBTQ+ community, the team behind Alstom and Journey delivered the world’s first Pride parade on a train at The Greatest Gathering in Derby. Held on 2 August 2025 during the world’s largest-ever gathering of historic and modern trains, this event was a vibrant celebration of inclusion, visibility and unity across UK rail. The parade brought together LGBTQ+ colleagues from Alstom, Angel Trains, AtkinsRéalis, Avanti West Coast, East Midlands Railway, Hitachi Rail and Transport for London (TfL), led by drag performers and rail professionals including Alexander Garnett-Scherer (TfL), Lee Nicholson- Brown (London Underground), and Medusa Has Been. Over three days, The Greatest Gathering welcomed over 40,000 visitors and showcased over 140 rail vehicles.
Cornwall Council & ITP by Haskoning
Cornwall Council’s innovation in understanding barriers to bus use
Cornwall is one of five rural areas selected by the Department for Transport to explore different models for delivering local bus reform, including various franchising approaches. The first element was an online quantitative survey, completed by bus users and non-users, to understand peoples’ views of the current bus network and how it could be improved. The second and most innovative element was an immersive, real-world research task which required regular and less regular bus users and non-users to experience bus travel in Cornwall first hand. Forty four of the Duchy’s residents, recruited to reflect a range of protected characteristics, completed six bus journeys over a two week period in January 2026. Ethnic minorities o Bus users from all other ethnic groups were more likely than ‘white’ bus users to travel by bus at least 5 days per week.
Cornwall Council & ITP by Haskoning
Cornwall Council’s innovation in understanding barriers to bus use
Cornwall is one of five rural areas selected by the Department for Transport to explore different models for delivering local bus reform, including various franchising approaches. The first element was an online quantitative survey, completed by bus users and non-users, to understand peoples’ views of the current bus network and how it could be improved. The second and most innovative element was an immersive, real-world research task which required regular and less regular bus users and non-users to experience bus travel in Cornwall first hand. Forty four of the Duchy’s residents, recruited to reflect a range of protected characteristics, completed six bus journeys over a two week period in January 2026. Ethnic minorities o Bus users from all other ethnic groups were more likely than ‘white’ bus users to travel by bus at least 5 days per week.
Cornwall Council & ITP by Haskoning
Cornwall Council’s innovation in understanding barriers to bus use
Cornwall is one of five rural areas selected by the Department for Transport to explore different models for delivering local bus reform, including various franchising approaches. The first element was an online quantitative survey, completed by bus users and non-users, to understand peoples’ views of the current bus network and how it could be improved. The second and most innovative element was an immersive, real-world research task which required regular and less regular bus users and non-users to experience bus travel in Cornwall first hand. Forty four of the Duchy’s residents, recruited to reflect a range of protected characteristics, completed six bus journeys over a two week period in January 2026. Ethnic minorities o Bus users from all other ethnic groups were more likely than ‘white’ bus users to travel by bus at least 5 days per week.
Enfield Council & Steer
Enfield Disability Reference Group
The Disability Reference Group (DRG) was established in 2023 by Enfield Council to ensure a role for Deaf and Disabled people in shaping transport and public realm projects from the start. Its purpose is rooted in a simple principle: inclusive transport is good transport. The Council’s transport and place projects previously lacked a dedicated, structured forum through which disabled residents could influence proposals at early design stages. The DRG addressed this gap by creating a paid, ongoing mechanism for lived-experience input across schemes including quieter neighbourhoods, walking and cycling routes, town centre improvements, parklets and wider climate and place initiatives. Since its launch, the group has reviewed 16 projects and strategies, influencing individual design decisions and wider policy development.
Enfield Council & Steer
Enfield Disability Reference Group
The Disability Reference Group (DRG) was established in 2023 by Enfield Council to ensure a role for Deaf and Disabled people in shaping transport and public realm projects from the start. Its purpose is rooted in a simple principle: inclusive transport is good transport. The Council’s transport and place projects previously lacked a dedicated, structured forum through which disabled residents could influence proposals at early design stages. The DRG addressed this gap by creating a paid, ongoing mechanism for lived-experience input across schemes including quieter neighbourhoods, walking and cycling routes, town centre improvements, parklets and wider climate and place initiatives. Since its launch, the group has reviewed 16 projects and strategies, influencing individual design decisions and wider policy development.
Enfield Council & Steer
Enfield Disability Reference Group
The Disability Reference Group (DRG) was established in 2023 by Enfield Council to ensure a role for Deaf and Disabled people in shaping transport and public realm projects from the start. Its purpose is rooted in a simple principle: inclusive transport is good transport. The Council’s transport and place projects previously lacked a dedicated, structured forum through which disabled residents could influence proposals at early design stages. The DRG addressed this gap by creating a paid, ongoing mechanism for lived-experience input across schemes including quieter neighbourhoods, walking and cycling routes, town centre improvements, parklets and wider climate and place initiatives. Since its launch, the group has reviewed 16 projects and strategies, influencing individual design decisions and wider policy development.
National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat)
The Scaling Innovation Programme
Scaling Innovation is a multi-million-pound programme that funds and supports UK SMEs to co- create, test and scale solutions that remove barriers to transport for disabled people. It responds to evidence that disabled people make 25% fewer journeys than non-disabled people — a gap static for over a decade that limits access to work, healthcare, education and social life. The programme funds solutions across three priority challenges identified through research and direct engagement with disabled people: improving vehicle stop design, enhancing travel assistance, and increasing access to real-time travel information. Innovators are selected through a competitive open call and receive seed funding (£10,000 per project at planning stage) plus a structured package of support to develop and test their solutions, with the opportunity to progress to larger-scale funded trials.
National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat)
The Scaling Innovation Programme
Scaling Innovation is a multi-million-pound programme that funds and supports UK SMEs to co- create, test and scale solutions that remove barriers to transport for disabled people. It responds to evidence that disabled people make 25% fewer journeys than non-disabled people — a gap static for over a decade that limits access to work, healthcare, education and social life. The programme funds solutions across three priority challenges identified through research and direct engagement with disabled people: improving vehicle stop design, enhancing travel assistance, and increasing access to real-time travel information. Innovators are selected through a competitive open call and receive seed funding (£10,000 per project at planning stage) plus a structured package of support to develop and test their solutions, with the opportunity to progress to larger-scale funded trials.
National Centre for Accessible Transport (ncat)
The Scaling Innovation Programme
Scaling Innovation is a multi-million-pound programme that funds and supports UK SMEs to co- create, test and scale solutions that remove barriers to transport for disabled people. It responds to evidence that disabled people make 25% fewer journeys than non-disabled people — a gap static for over a decade that limits access to work, healthcare, education and social life. The programme funds solutions across three priority challenges identified through research and direct engagement with disabled people: improving vehicle stop design, enhancing travel assistance, and increasing access to real-time travel information. Innovators are selected through a competitive open call and receive seed funding (£10,000 per project at planning stage) plus a structured package of support to develop and test their solutions, with the opportunity to progress to larger-scale funded trials.
Network Rail
Sexual Harassment Prevention campaign: Sexual Harassment Stops Here
Network Rail's Preventing Sexual Harassment campaign is a national behaviour-change campaign launched in November 2025 to tackle a deeply rooted cultural issue across its workforce. With women representing just 20% of employees, internal listening insights identified critical barriers: sexual harassment was significantly underreported, colleagues lacked clarity on what constitutes harassment, and many did not trust that concerns would be handled appropriately. In response, Network Rail introduced a strengthened framework – a new prevention policy, a leadership charter and a 24/7 confidential reporting line (Protect) – but policy alone would not deliver change. The campaign's role was to ensure colleagues understood, trusted and used these mechanisms. Prior to the campaign, sexual harassment was significantly underreported at Network Rail, consistent with the national picture in which only 15% of those who experience workplace harassment report it (Government Equalities Office, 2020).
Network Rail
Sexual Harassment Prevention campaign: Sexual Harassment Stops Here
Network Rail's Preventing Sexual Harassment campaign is a national behaviour-change campaign launched in November 2025 to tackle a deeply rooted cultural issue across its workforce. With women representing just 20% of employees, internal listening insights identified critical barriers: sexual harassment was significantly underreported, colleagues lacked clarity on what constitutes harassment, and many did not trust that concerns would be handled appropriately. In response, Network Rail introduced a strengthened framework – a new prevention policy, a leadership charter and a 24/7 confidential reporting line (Protect) – but policy alone would not deliver change. The campaign's role was to ensure colleagues understood, trusted and used these mechanisms. Prior to the campaign, sexual harassment was significantly underreported at Network Rail, consistent with the national picture in which only 15% of those who experience workplace harassment report it (Government Equalities Office, 2020).
Network Rail
Sexual Harassment Prevention campaign: Sexual Harassment Stops Here
Network Rail's Preventing Sexual Harassment campaign is a national behaviour-change campaign launched in November 2025 to tackle a deeply rooted cultural issue across its workforce. With women representing just 20% of employees, internal listening insights identified critical barriers: sexual harassment was significantly underreported, colleagues lacked clarity on what constitutes harassment, and many did not trust that concerns would be handled appropriately. In response, Network Rail introduced a strengthened framework – a new prevention policy, a leadership charter and a 24/7 confidential reporting line (Protect) – but policy alone would not deliver change. The campaign's role was to ensure colleagues understood, trusted and used these mechanisms. Prior to the campaign, sexual harassment was significantly underreported at Network Rail, consistent with the national picture in which only 15% of those who experience workplace harassment report it (Government Equalities Office, 2020).
Rail 74 CRP
Inclusivity Matters – Making Rail Travel Accessible Through Community Rail
Inclusivity Matters is Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership’s accessibility and rail confidence programme, developed to reduce barriers preventing neurodivergent individuals, families and disadvantaged communities from using public transport confidently. The programme was created after engagement with ASN schools, autism organisations and community groups identified anxiety, sensory overwhelm and unfamiliarity with the rail environment as significant barriers. Many participants had little or no previous experience travelling independently by train. Over the last two years, Rail 74 has delivered practical interventions combining supported rail journeys, experiential learning and accessibility-focused travel resources. Inclusivity Matters has reached more than 500 people through supported rail journeys, education, accessibility resources and wider community engagement.
Rail 74 CRP
Inclusivity Matters – Making Rail Travel Accessible Through Community Rail
Inclusivity Matters is Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership’s accessibility and rail confidence programme, developed to reduce barriers preventing neurodivergent individuals, families and disadvantaged communities from using public transport confidently. The programme was created after engagement with ASN schools, autism organisations and community groups identified anxiety, sensory overwhelm and unfamiliarity with the rail environment as significant barriers. Many participants had little or no previous experience travelling independently by train. Over the last two years, Rail 74 has delivered practical interventions combining supported rail journeys, experiential learning and accessibility-focused travel resources. Inclusivity Matters has reached more than 500 people through supported rail journeys, education, accessibility resources and wider community engagement.
Rail 74 CRP
Inclusivity Matters – Making Rail Travel Accessible Through Community Rail
Inclusivity Matters is Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership’s accessibility and rail confidence programme, developed to reduce barriers preventing neurodivergent individuals, families and disadvantaged communities from using public transport confidently. The programme was created after engagement with ASN schools, autism organisations and community groups identified anxiety, sensory overwhelm and unfamiliarity with the rail environment as significant barriers. Many participants had little or no previous experience travelling independently by train. Over the last two years, Rail 74 has delivered practical interventions combining supported rail journeys, experiential learning and accessibility-focused travel resources. Inclusivity Matters has reached more than 500 people through supported rail journeys, education, accessibility resources and wider community engagement.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority & Barnsley Council
Barnsley MiCard
Launched in August 2025, Barnsley MiCard tackles one of the biggest barriers to inclusion: the cost of transport. By removing this barrier, it enables thousands of young people - especially those from lower-income backgrounds - to access education, employment and training, healthcare, social networks and wider life opportunities. The scheme is built on a simple but powerful principle: no child or young person should miss out because they cannot afford to travel. It is universal, removing stigma and complexity, and ensuring equal access regardless of income, background or circumstance. 18,514 young people in Barnsley now hold or are receiving a MiCard (110% of target uptake).
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority & Barnsley Council
Barnsley MiCard
Launched in August 2025, Barnsley MiCard tackles one of the biggest barriers to inclusion: the cost of transport. By removing this barrier, it enables thousands of young people - especially those from lower-income backgrounds - to access education, employment and training, healthcare, social networks and wider life opportunities. The scheme is built on a simple but powerful principle: no child or young person should miss out because they cannot afford to travel. It is universal, removing stigma and complexity, and ensuring equal access regardless of income, background or circumstance. 18,514 young people in Barnsley now hold or are receiving a MiCard (110% of target uptake).
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority & Barnsley Council
Barnsley MiCard
Launched in August 2025, Barnsley MiCard tackles one of the biggest barriers to inclusion: the cost of transport. By removing this barrier, it enables thousands of young people - especially those from lower-income backgrounds - to access education, employment and training, healthcare, social networks and wider life opportunities. The scheme is built on a simple but powerful principle: no child or young person should miss out because they cannot afford to travel. It is universal, removing stigma and complexity, and ensuring equal access regardless of income, background or circumstance. 18,514 young people in Barnsley now hold or are receiving a MiCard (110% of target uptake).
East West Rail
Inclusive Design from the Outset: EWR Accessibility Advisory Approach
East West Rail has set a new benchmark for inclusive infrastructure by embedding accessibility at the core of programme design from the outset. Moving beyond compliance-led approaches, EWR has established a sector-leading model that integrates lived experience, technical expertise and leadership accountability into every stage of delivery. Central to this approach is the Accessibility Advisory Panel (AAP) and the Network Rail Built Environment Accessibility Panel (BEAP). Through more than 30 structured engagements since 2023, these panels provide continuous independent challenge, ensuring accessibility risks are identified early and inclusive solutions are embedded before designs are fixed.
East West Rail
Inclusive Design from the Outset: EWR Accessibility Advisory Approach
East West Rail has set a new benchmark for inclusive infrastructure by embedding accessibility at the core of programme design from the outset. Moving beyond compliance-led approaches, EWR has established a sector-leading model that integrates lived experience, technical expertise and leadership accountability into every stage of delivery. Central to this approach is the Accessibility Advisory Panel (AAP) and the Network Rail Built Environment Accessibility Panel (BEAP). Through more than 30 structured engagements since 2023, these panels provide continuous independent challenge, ensuring accessibility risks are identified early and inclusive solutions are embedded before designs are fixed.
East West Rail
Inclusive Design from the Outset: EWR Accessibility Advisory Approach
East West Rail has set a new benchmark for inclusive infrastructure by embedding accessibility at the core of programme design from the outset. Moving beyond compliance-led approaches, EWR has established a sector-leading model that integrates lived experience, technical expertise and leadership accountability into every stage of delivery. Central to this approach is the Accessibility Advisory Panel (AAP) and the Network Rail Built Environment Accessibility Panel (BEAP). Through more than 30 structured engagements since 2023, these panels provide continuous independent challenge, ensuring accessibility risks are identified early and inclusive solutions are embedded before designs are fixed.
Transport for Wales
Transport for Wales accessibility
Passenger Assist Meeting Points (PAMPs) These reshape passenger experience at seven key stations. By offering clear, accessible and consistent place for passengers to meet staff, they remove uncertainty and deliver predictability - solving one of the most common failure points in the assistance process. Introduced on the Core Valley Lines, this removes the step between train and platform, shifting accessibility from reactive adjustments to true independence on Wales’ busiest network. For the first time, wheelchair users and passengers with mobility conditions can board without relying on ramps or staff. Assistance delivery improved from 71% to 75% - outpacing the increase requests/bookings.
Transport for Wales
Transport for Wales accessibility
Passenger Assist Meeting Points (PAMPs) These reshape passenger experience at seven key stations. By offering clear, accessible and consistent place for passengers to meet staff, they remove uncertainty and deliver predictability - solving one of the most common failure points in the assistance process. Introduced on the Core Valley Lines, this removes the step between train and platform, shifting accessibility from reactive adjustments to true independence on Wales’ busiest network. For the first time, wheelchair users and passengers with mobility conditions can board without relying on ramps or staff. Assistance delivery improved from 71% to 75% - outpacing the increase requests/bookings.
Transport for Wales
Transport for Wales accessibility
Passenger Assist Meeting Points (PAMPs) These reshape passenger experience at seven key stations. By offering clear, accessible and consistent place for passengers to meet staff, they remove uncertainty and deliver predictability - solving one of the most common failure points in the assistance process. Introduced on the Core Valley Lines, this removes the step between train and platform, shifting accessibility from reactive adjustments to true independence on Wales’ busiest network. For the first time, wheelchair users and passengers with mobility conditions can board without relying on ramps or staff. Assistance delivery improved from 71% to 75% - outpacing the increase requests/bookings.
WSP
Gender Inclusive Design Team
WSP’s Gender Inclusive Design team was established to address a persistent gap between evidence on personal safety and its consistent application across transport networks. What began as a passion research project in 2021 with the survey of 600 women is today a 12 people strong intersectional team. The team’s work is rooted in collecting and disseminating data, lived experience, best practice and lessons learnt of women’s and girls experiences of safety in public space, highlighting the scale and complexity of safety challenges and the need for systemic change. Working nationally from Glasgow to Devon, the team delivers high- impact work that drives lasting change across transport policy, design and operations. In 2025/2026 alone, the team has supported the design development of a diverse range of places, including James Paget University Hospital, Regent Street retail corridor, the Eastern Access active travel route, Earls Court Masterplan and Cleethorpes Pier Gardens.
WSP
Gender Inclusive Design Team
WSP’s Gender Inclusive Design team was established to address a persistent gap between evidence on personal safety and its consistent application across transport networks. What began as a passion research project in 2021 with the survey of 600 women is today a 12 people strong intersectional team. The team’s work is rooted in collecting and disseminating data, lived experience, best practice and lessons learnt of women’s and girls experiences of safety in public space, highlighting the scale and complexity of safety challenges and the need for systemic change. Working nationally from Glasgow to Devon, the team delivers high- impact work that drives lasting change across transport policy, design and operations. In 2025/2026 alone, the team has supported the design development of a diverse range of places, including James Paget University Hospital, Regent Street retail corridor, the Eastern Access active travel route, Earls Court Masterplan and Cleethorpes Pier Gardens.
WSP
Gender Inclusive Design Team
WSP’s Gender Inclusive Design team was established to address a persistent gap between evidence on personal safety and its consistent application across transport networks. What began as a passion research project in 2021 with the survey of 600 women is today a 12 people strong intersectional team. The team’s work is rooted in collecting and disseminating data, lived experience, best practice and lessons learnt of women’s and girls experiences of safety in public space, highlighting the scale and complexity of safety challenges and the need for systemic change. Working nationally from Glasgow to Devon, the team delivers high- impact work that drives lasting change across transport policy, design and operations. In 2025/2026 alone, the team has supported the design development of a diverse range of places, including James Paget University Hospital, Regent Street retail corridor, the Eastern Access active travel route, Earls Court Masterplan and Cleethorpes Pier Gardens.
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