Accessibility in danger: Wheelchair users fight for access to the Nordbahn!

Accessibility in danger: Wheelchair users fight for access to the Nordbahn!

The modernization of the Northern Railway in Lower Austria brings with it serious challenges for accessibility. In Strasshof, a railway crossing was recently replaced by a wooden footbridge, which will be used for the next year and a half. The steep stairs make it impossible for wheelchair users to cross the tracks, requiring a detour of more than ten kilometers. Ombudsman Bernhard Achitz addressed this issue on the ORF program “Citizens’ Advocate” on December 7th. ÖBB manager Franz Hammerschmid showed his understanding and announced that he would plan a ramp to make access easier for parents with strollers and cyclists. However, there is uncertainty as to whether this ramp can meet accessibility requirements, as it may be steeper than the required six percent. “Real accessibility must always be the goal,” emphasizes Achitz, while referring to proven solutions from Germany, which, however, require long approval times in Austria Ombudsman's office reported.

Actions against noise pollution

At the same time, the Ombudsman's Office responded to multiple pressures, as numerous residents near the Göstling marshalling yard in Graz complained about unbearable noise pollution caused by squeaking noises. Here too, the ÖBB reacted as necessary and installed noise barriers in order to improve the quality of life for the residents. In the same program, Hammerschmid reported on the noise reduction measures and emphasized the need to reconsider the construction of new residential buildings in the immediate vicinity of the train station.

However, the fight for accessibility in Austria remains an ongoing challenge, as Ombudsman Dr. Hansjörg Hofer explains. Many public facilities lack accessibility for people with disabilities, be it in residential buildings or transport. Dr. Hofer emphasizes that it is of fundamental importance for people with disabilities to have self-determined access and that existing regulations often hinder the necessary adjustments. “Historic protection must not serve as an excuse,” demands advocate Gertrude Brinek and advocates for more protection against discrimination for people with disabilities. She calls on politicians to finally live up to their responsibility in order to quickly and effectively implement the legally required accessibility OTS reported.