A blind passenger from Surrey has helped Thameslink to produce an audio guide describing its fleet of 115 trains to visually impaired people to improve accessibility.

Dave Smith from Redhill in Surrey is part of Thameslink’s Accessibility Advisory Panel and worked with the train provider to produce an audio guide, giving vital information to visually impaired people when travelling aboard one of these trains.

Dave said: “I use these trains all the time but for someone else who is blind or partially sighted it can be incredibly daunting. When you can’t see, it’s difficult to understand your environment and what’s around you.”

The guide, now available to listen to on the Assisted Travel pages of Thameslink’s website, will include descriptive information on the carriages to help visually impaired people navigate their way around.

The guide will include information on where to find accessible carriages, toilets and level boarding at both London Bridge and London St Pancras stations.

It will also feature information on where to find doors that open in a pocket in the train with auditory sounds, luggage racks, handrails, two-by-two seats with corridors, toilet layouts and where to find the button to communicate with the train driver.

Dave explained: “Anyone can log onto the Thameslink website and listen to this audio guide before setting off, helping them understand the train layout before they travel, helping reduce any anxieties.

“It describes such things as where they might find a toilet – and its layout – and where and how to contact the driver in an emergency. The guide gives them access to information that sighted travellers take for granted.”

Govia Thameslink Railway has confirmed that it plans to roll out more audio guides in the future, following a grant made available by the Thomas Pocklington Trust.

A further three audio guides are set to be made for three further train types to trial at six stations, including Eastbourne, Brighton, Sutton, Blackfriars, Stevenage and Luton Airport Parkway.

Thameslink's Accessibility Engagement Manager Antony Merlyn, who wrote the guide with Dave’s input, said: “Dave has a unique insight into the challenges for blind or partially sighted people travelling by train. We hope this audio guide gives people the added confidence to travel with us and regain their independence.”