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Rural Railway Stations: Step Free Access
11 November 2025
Lead MP
Helen Morgan
North Shropshire
LD
Responding Minister
Simon Lightwood
Tags
Transport
Word Count: 4040
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Helen Morgan raised concerns about rural railway stations: step free access in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Department for Transport should provide clarity on the timeline for delivering step-free access at Whitchurch station. Additionally, Helen Morgan requests that the Government ensures transparency in the Access for All scheme process.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
In North Shropshire, access to public transport is poor with only three fully operational railway stations and two very rural request stops. Whitchurch station lacks step-free access from the southbound platform, forcing disabled or elderly residents to tackle 44 steps up and down a footbridge, hindering their ability to travel.
Mid Sussex
Mentions Wivelsfield station in her constituency, noting that the promise of funding under the Access for All scheme has not been fulfilled, questioning if this was pork barrel politics.
Dorking and Horley
He questioned the priority given by Network Rail in his constituency, agreeing with the need for more accessibility schemes but highlighting gaps in funding.
Chris Hinchliff
Lab
North East Hertfordshire
He highlighted the issue of Baldock in his constituency due to double its size without step-free access, urging the Minister to ensure rapidly growing rural communities receive a fair share of infrastructure funding.
West Dorset
Expresses frustration over lack of transparency and attention to step-free access in rural areas, highlighting that Dorchester South station is still waiting for consideration despite local support.
Lisa Smart
LD
Hazel Grove
Agrees with Helen Morgan about challenges faced by train users with mobility issues and raises a point about staffing infrastructure needed to support step-free access.
Noah Law
Lab
St Austell and Newquay
He discussed accessibility improvements at Par station in his constituency, expressing optimism about the progress but highlighting a remaining £1.5 million funding gap that needs to be resolved for the project to proceed.
Simon Lightwood
Con
City of Chester
Discussed the Cumberland bus franchising pilot and urged passengers in rural areas to use the Railway Passenger Assist service for better journey planning.
Government Response
Simon Lightwood
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport
Government Response
Accessibility is a core priority for the Government and Great British Railways. They are committed to delivering a rail system that allows disabled people and others who need assistance to travel easily, confidently, and with dignity, regardless of where they live. The Minister acknowledged the importance of rail accessibility in rural areas but did not provide specific funding commitments or timelines. Acknowledged ongoing efforts under the Access for All programme, noting over £280 million investment in accessibility upgrades across Britain. Mentioned feasibility studies completed for Whitchurch station and highlighted potential funding sources like the Mid Cornwall Metro project. This Government are absolutely committed to improving the accessibility of our railways, and we are in no doubt about the social and economic benefits of doing so. That is demonstrated by the £280 million that the Chancellor made available for the Access for All programme in the recent spending review.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.