Championing Inclusive Design Across the UK Rail Network

Project Outline

Network Rail required a dedicated point of contact to coordinate, administer, and support the Built Environment Accessibility Panel (BEAP). This national advisory panel provides expert guidance on accessibility and inclusive design across the UK rail network.

Established over ten years ago, BEAP is made up of independent experts with lived experience of disability and accessibility. The panel supports projects that impact the rail‑built environment, including stations, depots, offices, lineside buildings, and public realm spaces. To date, BEAP has supported more than 400 rail projects, ensuring the needs of rail users are embedded into design decisions at the earliest possible stage.

The voluntary panel meets monthly to review projects, identify potential barriers to accessibility, and provide practical, proportionate advice to improve inclusive outcomes for passengers and staff.

Key Information

Project	Built Environment Accessibility Panel (BEAP)
Client	Network Rail – Customer Experience & Accessibility Team
Services	Project Management
Duration	05 Dec 2022 – ongoing

Our Service

Mercury3 Consult was engaged to provide ongoing coordination, project management, and administrative support to BEAP, ensuring the panel operate effectively and delivers consistent, high-quality advice across a broad portfolio of projects.

Since 2022, our service has included:

Acting as the central coordination point between Network Rail project teams and BEAP members.
End-to-end administration of monthly panel meetings, including scheduling, attendee coordination, and meeting packs.
Ensuring meetings and materials are accessible to all participants.
Facilitating meetings and capturing clear, actionable outputs from panel advice.
Providing timely follow-up and document management to support project teams.

In addition, Mercury3 Consult provides digital administration for Network Rail’s Diversity Impact Assessment (DIA) tool. This includes user management, mailbox monitoring, responding to technical queries, and ensuring reviewer roles and permissions are correctly maintained.

Through this work, Mercury3 Consult has helped Network Rail embed accessibility and inclusion into everyday decision-making, supporting safer, more inclusive journeys and future-proofed rail infrastructure.

Mercury3 Consultant, Ingrid Grant, is pictured (far right) with the BEAP team at the National Rail Awards 2024, where BEAP was a finalist for the Outstanding Contribution to Society award. — Source: National Rail Awards 2024 Gallery. Mercury3 consultant, Ingrid Grant, is pictured (far right) with the BEAP team at the National Rail Awards 2024, where BEAP was a finalist for the Outstanding Contribution to Society award.

Key Achievements

Supporting BEAP in reviewing nearly 50 projects in a single year, covering stations, car parks, retail spaces, signage, wayfinding, and guidance.

Enabling early identification of accessibility risks, helping projects avoid costly redesigns and reputational risk.

Ensuring consistent, reliable coordination of a national panel of expert volunteers.

Strengthening the use and governance of the Diversity Impact Assessment tool.

Contributing to BEAP’s recognition as a National Rail Awards finalist (2024/25) for Outstanding Contribution to Society.

Feedback received by the BEAP consistently highlights the value of early, expert input in shaping inclusive design decisions. Project teams report that BEAP’s advice strengthens confidence that proposals are compliant, proportionate, and genuinely responsive to the needs of disabled passengers and staff. Additionally, this input helps ensure that accessibility considerations remain central throughout the design process instead of being treated as a late-stage check.

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