Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
Recommendation 5
5
Accepted in Part
Commit to publishing a roadmap for achieving independent rail network accessibility within 12 months.
Recommendation
As part of a new Inclusive Transport Strategy, the Government must set out concrete timescales for achieving independent accessibility across the rail network, and commit to setting out within 12 months a road map for how to meet those timescales. This road map must inform the rolling stock, station and network enhancements strategies of the Department and, when it is operational, Great British Railways. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59)
Government Response Summary
The government will publish an Accessibility Roadmap later this year, outlining measures and initiatives to be undertaken before Great British Railways is established, but it does not explicitly commit to setting concrete timescales for achieving full independent accessibility across the entire rail network.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
49. The Department recognises the importance of enabling disabled passengers to travel independently and with confidence. The current infrastructure that supports our railways presents a unique set of challenges when it comes to achieving accessibility, many of the stations on the network date back to Victorian times and were built and designed when we had far less understanding of different disabilities and how to create accessibility for all. 50. During the passage of the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024, Rail Minister Lord Hendy announced the creation of an Accessibility Roadmap, which the Department intends to publish later this year. Whilst this Roadmap will not provide an immediate solution to these longstanding challenges, it will outline measures and initiatives to be undertaken ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways (GBR). 51. GBR will have a customer-focused culture, taking responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the railway, with a strong emphasis on passenger support and assistance. Over the next 12–18 months, focused work will continue on the design of GBR, including on how accessibility will be approached.