Rail Network Accessibility 2021-04-29
2021-04-29
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question pertains to the limited accessibility of railway stations in Greater Manchester, where only 40% of stations have step-free access compared to a regional average of 63% and national average of 61%. Mayor Andy Burnham has proposed full accessibility by 2025, supported by Leonard Cheshire's report suggesting 1-3% annual transport spending is required.
What steps are being taken to improve accessibility for people with physical and hidden disabilities who use the rail network? Only 40% of railway stations in Greater Manchester have step-free access—that is 38 out of 93 stations. This is significantly lower than the north-west region as a whole, which is at 63%, and the national average at 61%. Mayor Andy Burnham has called for all railway stations in Greater Manchester to be fully accessible by 2025.
We are spending hundreds of millions of pounds on improving our network and continue to do so. I met with the chief executive of Network Rail yesterday to discuss how we can speed up the delivery of elements of our accessibility programme.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps, funding amounts, timelines for full accessibility by 2025 were not provided.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The question pertains to the limited accessibility of railway stations in Greater Manchester, where only 40% of stations have step-free access compared to a regional average of 63% and national average of 61%. Mayor Andy Burnham has proposed full accessibility by 2025, supported by Leonard Cheshire's report suggesting 1-3% annual transport spending is required.
According to the charity Leonard Cheshire, it would take just 1% to 3% of annual transport spending to make the rail network accessible by 2030. What steps has the Minister taken to ensure that this will be a reality as soon as possible?
I met with Network Rail's chief executive yesterday to discuss how we can speed up the delivery of elements of our accessibility programme. I read Leonard Cheshire's report, but I think it has underestimated the figures involved in improving our network.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps and timeline for full accessibility were not provided; Minister's meeting mentioned without detail.
Response accuracy