London North Eastern Railway is taking part in a project that sees British Sign Language or BSL fully integrated across Customer Information Screens at Doncaster Railway Station.

The innovative project marks a first for the country and sees screen’s display videos and up-to-date customer information which is translated into BSL in a bid to create truly integrated messaging.

London North Eastern Railway is working closely with Doncaster Deaf Trust and Communication Specialist College Doncaster in order to carry out the trial this December.

If the trial proves successful, LNER is looking to introduce the full integration of BSL into further screens across its network.

Several information screens will display the videos at Doncaster station featuring information such as:

• Departure time of services
• The train operator
• Destination
• Calling points
• Platform number.

The screens will also be able to show and sign any changes, such as:

• Departure time changes
• Platform changes
• Updates such as delays or cancellations

The project aims to see the initiative rolled out across the entire LNER network in the future should the trial be successful.

Mark Moaby, Acting Chief Digital and Innovation Officer at LNER, said:

“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do here at LNER. We are committed to making travel more accessible so everyone can enjoy the best possible experience when travelling with us. We’re delighted to be trialling this innovative technology. The live test at Doncaster is the culmination of the drive and combined vision that D/deaf customers should be able to access information about train services in the same place as hearing customers.”

Natalie Pollard, BSL Manager at Doncaster Deaf Trust, said;

“We were really pleased to be invited by LNER to work with them on the new screens. It is so important for our D/deaf community to be kept up to date with the latest travel information as people make their journeys and the new displays will make a difference.”