Passengers with disabilities will now be further supported at six stations in Hertfordshire and North London.

Two new mobile assistance teams have started work in a trial to further support customers who need it.

This will mean support should be available at the stations within 20 minutes, every day of the week, to board every train that is running.

Staff already work on site at many of the stations, but only when the ticket office is open.

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Welwyn Hatfield Times: The teams will be based at Hertford North and Potters Bar stations.The teams will be based at Hertford North and Potters Bar stations. (Image: Great Northern)

The teams will be based at Hertford North and Potters Bar stations and will cover Welwyn North (step-free to all platforms), Bayford (step-free to platform 1 only), Watton-at-Stone (step-free to platform 1 only), Hadley Wood (step-free to platform 4), Welham Green (step-free to platform 2 only) and Cuffley (step-free to platform 1 only).

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Ross Chapman, ready to assist, at Welwyn North station.Ross Chapman, ready to assist, at Welwyn North station. (Image: Great Northern)

Anyone that requires assistance getting around the station and boarding a train will benefit from this service.

Customers can request assistance when they arrive at the station, either by contacting the control centre from the station help point, using the 'emergency and assisted travel button', or by calling freephone 0808 168 1238 or texting 07970 511077.

The assistance teams will drive to the nine stations, with the aim of arriving within 20 minutes to help the customer board the train and notify the destination station of their arrival.

On the customer’s return journey, the mobile assistance team will be there to greet the customer off the train.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Two new mobile assistance teams have started work in a trial to further support these customers.Two new mobile assistance teams have started work in a trial to further support these customers. (Image: Great Northern)

                                                                                                         

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If passengers prefer, they can book the mobile assistance team further in advance by contacting the assisted travel team either online or by calling 0800 138 1016.

Great Northern’s accessibility lead Carl Martin said: “We're constantly looking for ways to improve the level of service we give people who need assistance, to overcome the barriers that prevent independent travel on the railway.

“These new mobile assistance teams could transform the lives of many of our customers. It will help us create a more accessible and inclusive railway, where everyone has the confidence to travel with us.

“We really want people to try out the service and let us know what they think about it through our customer contact centre.”