Daisy Cooper MP Tours St Albans-End of the Abbey Line
Calling for Community Action and Better Accessibility
St Albans MP Daisy Cooper recently joined the Abbey Line Community Rail Partnership for a tour of the St Albans-end of the Abbey Line, shining a spotlight on community involvement, inclusive travel, and accessibility issues. Her visit builds on her long‑standing support for Abbey Line community initiatives and local engagement.
We are very grateful to her for amplifying our messages and escalating accessibility issues.
Community Groups Invited to Adopt Bricket Wood Station
Through her subsequent media outreach, Daisy has helped encourage Bricket Wood community groups to come forward and play a role in adopting and supporting Bricket Wood Station, echoing wider efforts to bring stations into stronger community use.
Bricket Wood has been at the centre of recent revitalisation projects, including work to transform the old station building into a community hub and Tea Room – demonstrating the significant impact local involvement can have.
“Try‑the‑Train” Sessions for Groups Facing Travel Barriers
The St Alban’s MP also urged local organisations and community groups whose beneficiaries experience barriers to travel to contact us for Try‑the‑Train sessions – guided experiences designed to build confidence, familiarise people with rail travel, and support those with mobility challenges or who may feel uncertain or anxious about using public transport.
These sessions are part of the CRP’s broader commitment to promoting inclusive travel and ensuring that the Abbey Line is accessible and welcoming to all residents.
Addressing Accessibility: Moving the Harrington Hump
A major focus of Cooper’s visit was the discussion around the Harrington Hump at St Albans Abbey Station. The raised platform section, designed to improve boarding, currently does not align with the accessible carriage, creating steep ramp angles and difficulties for wheelchair users and people with mobility needs.
The need to relocate or redesign the Harrington Hump is under review, after accessibility concerns were highlighted by the St Albans Access Forum and Hertfordshire County Council. Daisy has used her influence to escalate this issue. This is being examined in partnership with Network Rail and West Midlands Trains. Improving this access point would help ensure safer, more independent boarding for passengers who rely on mobility devices.
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A Growing Local Movement for Better, Community‑Led Transport
The Abbey Line – linking Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey across seven stations – has long benefited from the Community Rail Partnership – aimed at boosting usage, improving the environment, and expanding local engagement.