By lyndamyer
As the first infrastructure company, the Construction Industry Council (CIC) granted the Inclusive Environments Recognition certification at organizational level to HS2 Ltd.
In order to ensuring that Britain’s new high-speed railway is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all, the award acknowledges five years of work, led by HS2 Ltd and companies in its supply chain.
The focus groups, virtual reality simulations as well as live testing sessions with charitable organizations, community groups and individuals with disabilities and protected characteristics, was held by HS2 as part of its inclusive design approach. User experience sessions have played a pivotal role in determining appropriate lighting levels in stations, signage, and the height, size and placement of seating on trains, platforms and concourse areas.
The bespoke design approach was found to exceed the legal and moral responsibilities of inclusivity and diversity.
According to HS2 inclusive design lead Neil Smith: “The organization was delighted to receive the award.HS2 is the first new railway to be built north of London in over 100 years, so this is a unique opportunity to address the day-to-day challenges that so many passengers face.”
He also added: “The CIC has recognized our commitment to ensuring that everyone has a great experience on HS2, whether visiting our stations, travelling on our trains, or working in our depots. Our spaces are designed with a ‘people first’ approach and we’re exceptionally proud of that.”
The considered designs for this HS2’s project involves: stations and train to platform interfaces will be step free, designing signage to help passengers with both hearing and visual impairments, and lighting levels and quiet spaces is due to be designed with neurodivergent people in mind.
Presenting how HS2 Ltd supported the organization’s six essential principles, recognition from CIC will be achieved, whereas this included the appointment of an inclusivity champion at board level and examples of how accessibility was considered at all stages of the design and procurement process.
CIC chief executive Graham Watts said:”HS2 had shown its commitment to inclusion was ingrained in the organization and project delivery. It is wonderful to see such a large infrastructure organization pave the way for inclusivity for their passengers building a railway that can span future generations.”
