Fit out, housing and maintenance provider, Morris & Spottiswood, has won a contract to manufacture accessible serving counters, the first of their kind to be used anywhere in the UK, to assist passengers with a range of disabilities travelling through Scotrail railway stations across the country.

First ScotRail passengers are set to benefit from this contract, thanks to new accessible 'Courtesy Counters' which will be installed in ticket offices at a number of stations. These can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button, thereby creating improved convenience when making enquiries and bookings.

The counters have also been designed to include a 'Cuddle' facility for customers to attach their walking sticks and crutches, as well as an induction loop and electronic speech enhancement for travellers that require hearing aids.

Thanks to funding from the Department for Transport’s Access for all Small Schemes fund, and from First ScotRail's Minor Works programme, passengers at Alexandria, Drumchapel, Hamilton West, Bellshill, Cambuslang, Hamilton Central Bishopton and Mount Florida stations have been the first to take advantage of the new service, A roll out across eight more stations by end November with a further nine stations to follow by end March 2009, will mean thousands of people travelling through First ScotRail stations stand to benefit from the new service facilities.

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Peter Williams, Commercial Director at First ScotRail said: "The work delivered as a result of this contract award will provide a facility that has both the flexibility and convenience to suit all our customers when using our ticket offices.

"We will continue to drive forward improvements which increase the level of customer service we are providing and look forward to Morris & Spottiswood delivering on this contract."

The design and development of the Courtesy Counter has been carried out by Glasgow-based firm, Sonnika Limited, which specialises in producing accessibility solutions for organisations looking to provide better facilities for people with disabilities.

Jane Finnigan who manages Morris & Spottiswood's bespoke joinery division based in Glasgow said that with Disability Discrimination legislation driving demand for accessible counters, the new counter design has significant market potential.

"The adjustable height of the counters is a major feature of the design, and coupled with the other design considerations, disabled customers and employees in a public service environment will benefit from greater accessibility at stations."

Morris & Spottiswood employs over 600 people at its offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester.