As reported on 29 September 2026, the UK Transport Secretary confirmed that new Great British Railways (GBR) trains will aim to provide unassisted level boarding between train and platform as standard wherever possible. The Department for Transport said the change would benefit disabled and older passengers as well as parents with pushchairs and travellers with luggage, and forms part of GBR's accessibility focus.

The commitment was described as part of a strategy for new trains announced on 28 September 2026. According to the department, most cases are not expected to add significant costs because the trains would be designed for unassisted level boarding at standard Network Rail platform heights from the outset. It cited Greater Anglia and Merseyrail trains and Alstom-built units for the Transpennine Route Upgrade as examples.

The government also said it is investing almost £280 million in step-free access through the Access for All programme, with more than 30 schemes underway across England, Scotland and Wales, building on last year's Roadmap to an Accessible Railway.