Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rail Network: Accessibility

Thursday 17 September 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have made 350 million available for accessibility improvements at 209 stations through the Access for All programme.
  • The Minister met with Rachel Hopkins virtually during lockdown to discuss the redevelopment of Luton station and promised to continue work for an accessible step-free route.
  • The Minister stated that plans to stop free travel for under-18s and its relation to accessibility were beyond his brief and would write to Catherine West regarding the matter.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Employment Transport
Context

Railway stations across the UK need better accessibility to accommodate disabled passengers.

Question

What steps is he taking to improve accessibility for disabled people using the rail network?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

The Government have recently made £350 million available to make accessibility improvements at a further 209 stations through the Access for All programme. We also require the industry to comply with current accessibility standards whenever it installs, replaces or renews station infrastructure.

Answered
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Q2 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Housing Transport
Context

The lifts at Luton Airport Parkway station have been undergoing repairs since July, affecting disabled individuals and families with young children.

Question

Since July, the lifts at Luton Airport Parkway station have been in the process of being fixed. People in my constituency who are disabled, have mobility issues or have a family with children and buggies are not able to access the railway. I am pleased that Luton station has been granted Access for All funding. Will the Minister give me an update on the much-needed renovation of the station, the accessibility needs that have to be addressed and where we are now?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

I know, from when I met the hon. Lady virtually during lockdown, how she aspires to a wider redevelopment of Luton station. At that meeting, I promised to get Network Rail to continue its work with Luton Borough Council to finalise a solution to deliver an accessible step-free route at the station by 2024. Since then, Network Rail has presented a number of options to the council which are currently being considered.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked for updates on accessibility needs and renovation progress, but the answer focused mainly on the timeline and current state without detailed specifics about addressed needs or progress updates.

How: Under Review

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Q3 Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet
Transport
Context

There are plans to stop free travel for under-18s in London, which affects students' ability to commute.

Question

Will the Minister accept a wider definition of accessibility and comment on the plans to stop the free travel for under-18s? Is there a plan for the Government to assist Transport for London, given its financial situation, to bring back free travel from half-term for under-18s?

Answer from Chris Heaton-Harris

That is slightly beyond my brief and slightly stretching the accessibility definition to which I operate, so if I may I would like to write to the hon. Lady.

Not addressed: The question about free travel for under-18s was completely avoided in favour of a statement that it's beyond his brief and that he will write to the MP.

How: Beyond My Brief

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