Peterborough woman's struggle to complete 'simple' journey

The trip formed part of the Spinal Injuries Association’s (SIA) nationwide Travel With Confidence campaign challenge, funded by the Motability Foundation.

Harriet Little, who uses a wheelchair and travels with an assistance dog, was one of six people with spinal cord injuries from across the UK challenged to plan and complete a journey to central London within 48 hours, using at least two forms of public transport, including trains, buses or the tube.

While such a journey may feel routine for many, for disabled passengers it can demand extensive planning, constant problem‑solving and significant emotional resilience.

Harriet Little from Peterborough took on the challenge of travelling to Trafalgar Square in London on public transport and discovered it was not as easy as it sounds. (Image: Spinal Injuries Association)

Each participant was required to map their own route, navigate unexpected barriers, and document their experience using video diaries and a detailed scorecard to assess accessibility at every stage.

Despite careful planning, Harriet encountered repeated and distressing barriers including finding the system to plan her journey confusing, no accessible toilet on the train, being separated from her mum on the journey despite pre-booking seats, and misleading accessibility signage at London City Thameslink, which pointed to 'wheelchair access' that did not exist.

Harriet was unable to book an Uber due to discrimination against assistance dog users and found no accessible taxi rank.

Harriet's journey took up to 50 minutes longer than predicted for a non‑disabled traveller, becoming an exhausting ordeal with delays and detours at multiple stages.

Harriet Little from Peterborough took on the challenge of travelling to Trafalgar Square in London on public transport and discovered it was not as easy as it sounds. (Image: Spinal Injuries Association)

Ultimately, Harriet, who shared her experiences on camera, was unable to complete the challenge as intended. With no step-free access at Charing Cross tube station or at nearby stations, including Piccadilly Circus, Embankment and Leicester Square — despite the area being a central tourist hotspot, and with insufficient time to reroute by bus, she had no choice but to take a £52 taxi instead.

Her total journey cost £80.80, compared with £28.80 for a non-disabled traveller — almost three times more expensive, purely due to inaccessible infrastructure.

Using the campaign's scorecard system, Harriet rated her journey an average of 5/10 overall, the lowest score among all participants.

Of the six people taking part nationwide, five encountered critical barriers that prevented them from completing their journeys. One participant from rural Mid Wales was unable to leave their home at all due to inaccessible pavements and a lack of basic station facilities.

Harriet Little from Peterborough took on the challenge of travelling to Trafalgar Square in London on public transport and discovered it was not as easy as it sounds. (Image: Spinal Injuries Association)

Reflecting on her journey, Harriet said: "More needs to be done to create a public transport system that actually works for wheelchair users – one that's efficient, reliable and doesn't require hours of contingency planning just to leave the house.

"Disabled people shouldn't have to budget extra time, money and stress simply to make the same journeys as everyone else.

"The toilet being out of order, for example, if you could walk, you would be able to get to the next toilet – but if you're in a wheelchair, you can't use the loo. One broken facility can make an entire journey impossible."

The challenge highlights issues affecting a significant proportion of the UK population.

Harriet Little from Peterborough took on the challenge of travelling to Trafalgar Square in London on public transport and discovered it was not as easy as it sounds. (Image: Spinal Injuries Association)

There are an estimated 105,000 people living with spinal cord injuries in the UK, alongside 7.5 million people with mobility impairments that may restrict independent travel.

SIA's annual What Matters survey found nearly three-quarters (71%) of respondents reported challenges with public transport, with the most common barriers being poor platform access, lack of level access at stations, and the need to pre-book assistance.

Chelsea Fleming, programme director at the Motability Foundation, said: "This research shows the significant challenges that wheelchair users and people with limited mobility face using public transport.

"At the Motability Foundation we are committed to supporting robust evidence that highlights where barriers persist and what action is needed to address these. Only with this insight can we work towards a transport network that is genuinely inclusive and supports transport equity."

The campaign exposes what SIA describes as an 'accessibility lottery', where disabled passengers face dramatically different experiences depending on where they live and travel. Even participants who scored journeys at 7–8/10 still encountered barriers that were severe enough to derail their plans.

SIA is calling on people to share their experiences by writing to their local MP and posting on social media using the hashtag #AccessibleTravel.

By adding their voice, passengers can help build a clearer picture of accessibility nationwide and strengthen the call for meaningful change.

Alongside the findings, SIA is also encouraging people to use its Travel Hub, a central resource for accessible travel advice, information and support from healthcare professionals and those living with a spinal cord injury. Visit