National Rail criticised over website colour change marking Prince Philip's death

Converting online train journey planners to greyscale as a mark of respect following the Duke of Edinburgh’s death has led to complaints from passengers and rail staff that they are now difficult to read.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The decision by National Rail Enquiries (NRE) and individual train companies to remove colours from their websites goes beyond Government guidance for the period of national mourning, which only suggests organisations use “black edging or black banners”.

NRE’s Twitter account received a barrage of angry messages following the change.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Users described the decision as “utterly ridiculous”, and claimed it has made train timetables “extremely difficult to read”.

The National Rail website was greyscaledThe National Rail website was greyscaled
The National Rail website was greyscaled

Others claimed the switch is in breach of disability discrimination laws.

In response to a passenger asking if there was a way for users to change the website back to normal, an NRE employee wrote: “Unfortunately, I do not believe there is currently”, adding: “I too have been struggling to read while it is coloured differently.”

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group, which runs NRE, issued a statement on Monday which said: “The National Rail Enquiries website has been temporarily greyscaled as a mark of respect following the death of HRH Duke of Edinburgh on Friday.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We are listening to feedback about how people are using the website and are making further changes today to make it more accessible to all our customers.”

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 for your first month. Try us today by clicking here and viewing our offers.

Related topics: