Source · Select Committees · Transport Committee
1st Report – Access denied: rights versus reality in disabled people's access to transport
Transport Committee
HC 770
Published 20 March 2025
Recommendations
6
Deferred
Adopt a rolling programme of rapid interventions for station accessibility upgrades.
Recommendation
Progress in implementing agreed accessibility upgrades at stations has been too halting, and delivery too slow and costly. The Department for Transport and its agencies and partners should consider adopting a different commissioning approach based on a rolling programme of …
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Government Response Summary
The government is exploring adapting the Access for All programme to a longer-term, rolling programme to improve efficiency and delivery. It will also consider how regulators could be empowered to proactively enforce accessible design standards.
Department for Transport
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17
Deferred
Mandate Great British Railways to prioritise accessibility in future staffing level and location decisions.
Recommendation
The presence of staff is often a crucial determinant of the ability of disabled people to travel. Ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways and nationalisation of operating companies, the Department must be prepared to intervene where necessary to …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the important role of staff for disabled travellers and highlights existing requirements. It defers specific actions to future initiatives like the Accessibility Roadmap, the forthcoming Railways Bill (which will propose an accessibility duty for a new watchdog), and design work for GBR over the next 12-18 months.
Department for Transport
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24
Deferred
Lead a review of transport accessibility legislation, collaborating with disabled people, to update and clarify standards.
Recommendation
The Department for Transport should lead a review of transport accessibility legislation in collaboration with the Office for Equality and Opportunity, and with meaningful involvement and leadership by disabled people, to assess how it could be streamlined, clarified and updated, …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts the need to review transport accessibility legislation but has deferred the work to the Law Commission, having approached them to assess their capacity to undertake this review.
Department for Transport
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25
Deferred
Require evidence of e-scooter schemes managing negative impacts on disabled people's street access.
Recommendation
The case of e-scooters demonstrates the importance of ensuring that enforcement is not an afterthought when new elements are introduced into transport networks. Should the Government eventually seek to legislate for permanent e-scooter rental schemes or use of privately-owned e-scooters …
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Government Response Summary
The government notes the importance of evidence for future e-scooter regulation and intends to consult on new regulations. It is undertaking trials and evaluations until May 2026, with results to be published in due course, and has announced powers for local leaders to regulate micromobility schemes.
Department for Transport
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