PLANS to install tactile paving at all railway stations in Scotland within the next year have been welcomed by a sight loss charity.

Blind man Michael Tornow, 41, accidentally fell from the platform edge at Bellgrove station in Glasgow last April and was rescued by fellow passengers just minutes before a train arrived.

Tactile paving has since been installed at the station, with work underway to add it to the remaining 148 stations in Scotland without it.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) says the move will have a big impact for blind and partially sighted people’s confidence in being able to use rail travel independently and safely.

READ MORE: Blind man who fell off platform edge at Glasgow train station welcomes safety paving

Michael said: “Since falling at Bellgrove I felt anxious every time I travelled because, without the tactile paving, I was worried I would not know I was nearing the edge and that I would fall again.”

Three years ago, a blind man, Cleveland Gervais, died after falling from a platform edge at Beckenham station in south London.

A report into his death found that there being no tactile paving was likely a contributing factor.

It recommended that the Department for Transport and Network Rail set out a timetable for installing tactile paving across the rail network.

James Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, said: “Initially, we were told the roll-out of tactile paving would not be completed across the UK until 2029.

“In response, RNIB launched its #RailSafe campaign.

“We’ve been keeping up the pressure to make stations safe for blind and partially sighted people and 15,817 people signed our petition urging faster action.

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“Thanks to their support, we’ve had confirmation that Network Rail is speeding up the installation of tactile paving on all railway platforms in Britain by 2025.

“And it’s very good news that it even aims to be a year sooner in Scotland.

“Two years ago, only around 50 per cent of mainline station platforms in Britain had tactile paving. Now it’s 60 per cent.

“As Cleveland’s death tragically showed, this is not just an accessibility measure, it is fundamental to the health and safety of passengers. We’re really pleased that Network Rail is taking this forward.”