The Humble Petition of residents of North East Somerset,
Sheweth,
that the Petitioners believe that there are inadequate facilities for disabled people who wish to use Keynsham railway station.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House urges the Secretary of State for Transport to encourage First Group plc to provide adequate facilities for disabled people at Keynsham railway station.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.—[Presented by Jacob Rees-Mogg, Official Report, 9 November 2011; Vol. 535, c. 410.]
[P000980]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Transport:
The Department is aware of the accessibility issues at Keynsham station and that First Group has plans to provide facilities for disabled passengers at this station.
The Department received a bid from First Group for Access for All Mid-tier funding to develop step-free access to platform 1 at Keynsham station. The delivery of this scheme will complete the provision of step-free access to both platforms by the construction of a ramp from the existing footbridge to the platform.
The outcome of the bidding process for this funding was announced on 6 December. The bid for Keynsham station was successful and the Department has offered £415,000 towards the project which will be completed later this year.