Research commissioned by London City Airport highlights that poor mental health costs England’s economy £66.5Bn every year due to sickness related absences.

“Mental ill health is a complex issue with many contributing factors, but we commissioned this study to look at this national health problem through the lens we know best – transport,” said London City Airport’s chief executive Robert Sinclair.

“A good or bad experience while travelling, and the environments encountered, can have a profound impact on stress levels. Likewise, poorly designed stations or airports which have little natural light or poor accessibility for people with mobility issues could increase stress and anxiety.”

The report recommends that improvements to transport systems that reduce delays, cancellations, anti-social behaviour and overcrowding can have a significant impact on the mental health of those travelling.

It adds that it is important to consider impacts on non-users; for example, by minimising air and noise pollution both in the construction of transport projects and during operation.

The report also highlights that increasing natural light and making it easier to navigate around stations and airports are major factors contributing to people’s mental wellbeing.

It says that in the design of transport hubs, the use of colour and natural materials can affect travel experiences while the nature and design of information systems and announcements have also been shown to be important.

Aviation Minister Liz Sugg commented: “The Government wants to ensure the wellbeing of everyone boarding a plane, and is committed to improving accessibility for passengers at every stage of their journey.

“It’s fantastic to see action being taken by industry and, through our Aviation 2050 Consultation, we will continue working to remove barriers discouraging people with hidden disabilities from travelling by air.”

Charity Rethink Mental Illness head of policy and partnerships Gillian Connor said: “Thoughtful approaches and small changes in our transport systems could make a huge difference to our wellbeing.

“The increasing pressure on our transport infrastructure can leave many of us feel unnecessarily stressed as we try to navigate our increasingly busy lives. It can also render public transport essentially unusable to those of us that are severely affected by mental illness.”

Pictured is London’s King’s Cross station, which some may consider being an example of a well-designed transport interchange.

(Photograph: Network Rail)