Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Railway Stations: Accessibility

Thursday 26 March 2026 · 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • We are investing nearly 280 million in the Access for All programme to improve accessibility at stations.
  • Network Rail is engaging with stakeholders to progress designs on step-free access at Dalston Kingsland station.
  • The Railways Bill contains a legal duty to promote the interests of passengers with disabilities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Transport
Context

The Access for All programme has been established to improve accessibility at train stations. Dalston Kingsland station in Hackney South is among those progressing as part of the national programme.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to improve accessibility at train stations. My constituency's Dalston Kingsland station is making progress under the Access for All programme due to my campaigning.

Answer from Keir Mather

We are investing nearly £280 million in the Access for All programme to improve accessibility at stations. In January, 31 further stations were moved into delivery or design, including Dalston Kingsland station in Hackney South.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was not a request but an update on current progress; the answer provided general information about accessibility improvements without additional commitments.

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Q2 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Transport
Context

Dalston Kingsland station, part of the Access for All programme, lacks a lift despite being a key station for Ridley Road market. The station's accessibility is crucial.

Question

Will the Minister or Secretary of State visit Dalston Kingsland to see the impact of not having a lift at this station when other stations along the Mildmay line are accessible?

Answer from Keir Mather

Network Rail is engaging with stakeholders to progress designs on step-free access. I am happy to facilitate a discussion between my hon. Friend and Network Rail, and have heard that the Secretary of State is keen to attend the visit outlined by my hon. Friend.

Answered
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Q3 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Transport Women & Equalities
Context

Complaints about station accessibility for disabled people are common, and equality law requires accessibility to meet certain standards.

Question

What are the Government doing to ensure that there is accessibility at all train stations for all disabled people that meets equality legislation?

Answer from Keir Mather

The Government's published accessibility road map includes a pledge to continue the Access for All programme. Step-free routes have been rolled out to 270 stations so far, and the Railways Bill contains a legal duty to promote the interests of passengers with disabilities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was not fully addressed as it did not include timelines or concrete actions for compliance beyond existing programmes and legislation.

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