Asked by: Connor Naismith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to include people with mental health problems in the disability criteria for disabled railcards.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Disabled Persons Rail Card (DPRC) supports over 300,000 with disabilities to travel more affordably, recognising that people with a disability often face additional costs and barriers to participating in day-to-day activities such as travel. Although those with a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability can be eligible for a DPRC already, under some circumstances, the Department for Transport is currently reviewing the criteria to ensure they reflect a more comprehensive understanding of disability, particularly in relation to non-visible disabilities, and how people demonstrate their eligibility.
Asked by: Connor Naismith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to ensure airlines do not discriminate against elderly people who are not able to digitally check-in.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Nobody should be discriminated against because of their age when travelling by air.
All passengers have the choice to check in for their flight at the airport.
Asked by: Connor Naismith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department has plans to mandate a standard platform height for train stations.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Ensuring accessibility for all passengers is at the heart of the Government’s passenger-focused approach and we will work to deliver a more reliable and consistent customer experience for everyone with accessibility needs.
Level boarding is an important factor, and the procurement of new trains will need to take account of allowing passengers to board and alight with ease.
At present, new, renewed or upgraded platforms at train stations in Great Britain are required to meet a nominal height of 915mm, as mandated by the National Technical Specification Notices and National Technical Rules for the interoperability of the GB railway.
There is no current plan to change these mandatory platform heights requirements for stations on the conventional mainline railway, but the Department keeps all rail interoperability requirements under review.
Asked by: Connor Naismith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to improve the accessibility of the railways for disabled people.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are carefully considering the best approach to the Access for All programme. Since April 2024, 13 stations have been completed with a further 18 due to be completed by April 2025. This will be the most stations completed in one year since the programme started in 2006. This Government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Asked by: Connor Naismith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the condition of Crewe Railway Station.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There is a clear need for interventions at Crewe station including to ageing roof and canopies. The Department expects Avanti West Coast, which manages the day-to-day running of the station, to work closely on behalf of passengers with Network Rail, which is responsible for asset repairs.
Asked by: Connor Naismith (Labour - Crewe and Nantwich)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department plans to take to (a) improve connectivity between the North and the Midlands, (b) increase capacity on the West Coast Main Line and (c) utilise Crewe as a transport hub.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Transport is an essential part of our mission to rebuild Britain, and this Government is committed to delivering infrastructure that works for the whole country.
We are currently considering options on future rail infrastructure, including how we best support economic growth in the North and Midlands and tackle issues on the West Coast Main Line.