A new trial scheme is making sanitary products available free of charge at all three of Birmingham‘s major railway stations.

This is the first time that they have been provided free of charge.

Last year, a vending machine that provides free sanitary pads and tampons for passengers was installed at Birmingham New Street station, and now they will be also available at both Birmingham Snow Hill and Birmingham Moor Street stations.

Funding for the initiative has been provided by Network Rail in partnership with the West Midlands Grand Railway Collaboration, which brings together train operators from across the region.

Products dispensed from the vending machines are sustainable and manufactured from responsibly-sourced bamboo and chemical-free materials free from toxins, bleach, and other harmful materials.

According to recent studies, around 10% of girls aged 14 to 21 in the UK cannot afford sanitary items, with the average annual cost for purchasing tampons and pads approximately £128, or £10 a month.

Also, affordability issues have forced one in seven female students needing to rely upon their friends to provide them with the sanitary products they need.

Lucy Wootton, head of the Grand Railway Collaboration, said: “I’m proud that the Grand Railway Collaboration has brought together our three rail hubs to improve what we can offer to passengers.

“Ensuring free access to sanitary products for people out and about on the rail network is the right thing to do, so it’s great to be able to play a part in the fight against period poverty so close to International Women’s Day 2023.”

Denise Wetton, Central route director for Network Rail, operator of Birmingham New Street, said: “I’m pleased to work with our fellow station operators in this cross-industry effort to improve journeys for people in need of sanitary items while using Birmingham New Street station.

“We hope that making sanitary items free and convenient for passengers in all city centre stations will mean those who need them can travel in confidence.”

Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director for West Midlands Railway, operator of Birmingham Snow Hill, said: “I am sure this initiative will benefit passengers using Snow Hill and the other major stations in Birmingham city centre.

“Period poverty should not be a barrier to using the rail network and we are proud to work with the Grand Railway Collaboration and Network Rail to play our part in tackling the issue.”

Period poverty is defined as a lack of access to sanitary products due to financial constraints and is an issue affecting women and girls worldwide.

Eleni Jordan, commercial and customer strategy director for Chiltern Railways, operator of Birmingham Moor Street, said: “We are proud to be installing sanitary product dispensers at Birmingham Moor Street station in collaboration with our partners in Network Rail and the Grand Railway Collaboration. We hope that free, easy access to these products make our station a more comfortable and convenient location for customers who need them.

“Nobody should be held back from travelling because of period poverty. We are determined to remove this barrier and the introduction of free period products is a step in the right direction in ensuring that the region’s rail network is accessible to all.”