Asked by: Daniel Francis (Labour - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps she is taking to develop real time information on the availability of accessibility to public transport for disabled passengers.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Accessibility and inclusivity are key considerations for the government as we seek to deliver against our key missions, including removing barriers to opportunity and delivering safer streets. The government wants disabled people to be able to travel easily, confidently, and with dignity, and we recognise the role of accurate and up-to-date information in making this possible.
The rail industry provides both static and real-time information to customers through a variety of channels. For example, live lift information and the location of accessible toilet facilities can be accessed via the National Rail Accessibility Map, as well as via the information and live-updates pages on the National Rail Enquiries website. The government also supports programmes such as Smarter Information, Smart Journeys which is working to ensure more information is available for customers on things like where BSL is available at stations, whether there are toilets on board trains and the live location of rail replacement transport.
The Department is undertaking discovery work to capture accessibility assets at bus stops within the National Public Transport Access Nodes (NaPTAN). NaPTAN is also introducing rail replacement data as a priority to align with the expiration of coach operator exemptions from the Accessible Information Regulations which will expire on 31 July 2026.
The Department also launched the Aviation Accessibility Task and Finish Group in November 2024, bringing together industry and consumer representatives, to consider the barriers to air travel for disabled passengers and to develop practical and achievable actions to improve aviation accessibility across the consumer journey.
Asked by: Daniel Francis (Labour - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had discussions with Network Rail on a timetable to install lighting on the footbridge at Slade Green Station.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Bexley London Borough Council approached Network Rail with a proposal to retrofit LED lighting to the underside of the footbridge handrails at Slade Green station. Network Rail has held meetings with Bexley Council representatives to discuss the proposal and has prepared and issued a Basic Asset Protection Agreement to the council.
Network Rail is working closely with Bexley Council to finalise the outstanding agreements required to move forward with the proposals and remains supportive. The timeframe for the works is influenced by several factors, including the scope of the project, track access, design reviews, and more. We anticipate being able to provide a clearer timeline once the outstanding agreements with the council have been finalised.
Asked by: Daniel Francis (Labour - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with Network Rail on maintaining ownership of the northern part of Hornbeam Lane in Barnehurst.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There have are no active discussions between officials in my Department and Network Rail regarding maintaining ownership of the northern part of Hornbeam Lane. If the hon member provides details, my Department would be happy to support the resolution of any issues.
Asked by: Daniel Francis (Labour - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions she has had with Transport for London on the potential impact of extending the DLR to Thamesmead on (a) economic growth and (b) housing delivery.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We appreciate the strategic and economic benefits of new transport infrastructure programmes in London like the DLR extension to Thamesmead.
This government remains committed to supporting London and the transport network on which it depends and regularly engages with TfL to understand its capital portfolio for the long-term.
We continue to work with the Mayor of London and Transport for London on funding for transport in the capital as part of the Spending Review and it will then be for them to decide which projects to take forward.
Asked by: Daniel Francis (Labour - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she has had recent discussions with the Office of Rail and Road on improving access for disabled people on LeShuttle services.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government engages regularly with the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to discuss a range of matters and officials meet routinely to discuss the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority (CTSA) and ORR’s regulatory activities concerning Eurotunnel. The Government fully supports efforts to continually improve accessibility on Le Shuttle services.
Asked by: Daniel Francis (Labour - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will ensure that Great British Railways has a statutory accessibility duty.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Accessibility is a priority for this Government and we are committed to delivering a rail system which allows disabled people to travel easily, confidently and with dignity. The ongoing Railways Bill consultation is already clear that accessibility will be central to Great British Railways.
GBR will therefore be subject to requirements – either licence conditions
or statutory duties – to ensure this happens. That includes requirements relating to accessibility and engaging accessibility stakeholders.
Asked by: Daniel Francis (Labour - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of additional Southeastern services directly from Crayford to Abbey Wood.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department requires all train operators, including Southeastern, to plan services and timetables designed to meet passenger demand while also ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. Timetables are kept under review and, where appropriate, adjusted to reflect fluctuations in demand. As part of the recent December timetable change Southeastern introduced 12 extra Sidcup/ Greenwich line ‘rounder’ services in the morning and evening peaks. These trains provide direct services between Crayford and Abbey Wood, improving access to the Elizabeth Line and linking the Sidcup line with Cannon Street and New Cross. There are currently no further plans to introduce any additional direct services between Crayford and Abbey Wood.
Asked by: Daniel Francis (Labour - Bexleyheath and Crayford)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of additional Southeastern services from London Charing Cross on the Bexleyheath line on the evening and weekend.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Department requires all train operators, including Southeastern, to plan services and timetables designed to meet passenger demand while also ensuring value for money for the taxpayer. Timetables are kept under review and, where appropriate, adjusted to reflect fluctuations in demand. There are currently no plans to introduce additional services on this route in the evening or at weekends. However, as part of the forthcoming May timetable change Southeastern will introduce two new weekday services on the Bexleyheath line, as follows: