Petitions

Selaine Saxby Excerpts

Wednesday 22nd May 2024 Commons Chamber

[Sarah Dyke (Somerton and Frome) (LD)]

I rise to present a petition about transport infrastructure in Somerset. Some 655 people have signed a similar petition to this, calling for the Department for Transport to urgently help the Langport Transport Group to move forward the project to deliver a new train station in the Somerton and Langport area. The petition states:

“The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to progress the project for a new station in Somerton/Langport.”

Following is the full text of the petition:

[The petition of residents of the constituency of Somerton and Frome,

Declares that the public transport infrastructure in Somerset is not up to the necessary standard; further declares that the poor infrastructure limits economic growth, education, employment and leisure opportunities for people living in Somerset; further notes that Langport Transport Group and Somerset Council have been waiting since July 2022 for a Government response to plans submitted for a new train station for Somerton/Langport; and further declares that the Department for Transport should urgently help the Group move this forward to deliver a new train station in the Somerton/Langport area.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to progress the project for a new station in Somerton/Langport.

And the petitioners remain, etc.]

[P002994]

[Selaine Saxby (North Devon) (Con)]

I rise to present a petition on behalf of North Devon resident Ella Wakley, in which she asks the House of Commons to urge the Government to allow blue badge holders with personal electric vehicles, such as e-scooters, to be allowed on public land for accessibility purposes. I have met Ella and her parents in North Devon and in Westminster and have raised her case with multiple Ministers in various Departments. I recognise that this is a multifaceted issue, but I hope that by raising her case directly today, we can start taking steps to adjust regulations for blue badge holders so that they can go through life with freedom and independence, which can often be even more of a challenge in rural areas.

Over 1,500 people have signed Ella’s online petition, and the petitioners

“therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to ensure accessibility for blue badge holders to use personal electric vehicles”

—such as e-scooters—

“on public land.”

Following is the full text of the petition:

[The petition of Ella Wakley,

Declares that blue badge holders with personal electric vehicles, such as e-scooters should be allowed on public land for accessibility purposes; and further that currently disabled people risk being fined and getting penalty points, even though personal electric vehicles are their only mode of independent transport.

The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take into account the concerns of the petitioners and take immediate action to ensure accessibility for blue badge holders to use personal electric vehicles on public land.

And the petitioners remain etc

[P002995]