Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2017 to Question HL3576, what steps his Department is taking to strengthen families.

All families rely on the transport network, whether it’s to access education, get to work or the shops, or to visit friends and relations. That is why the Government has allocated more than £61bn in transport capital investment over the five years to 2020/21; record investment to make the network more reliable and better connected.

In April this year, we published the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, a £1.2bn plan to make cycling and walking the natural choice for the shorter, local journeys that are fundamental to family life. By creating safer streets, where cyclists and pedestrians feel like they have a place, families will be more encouraged to realise the health, social, environmental and economic benefits of these modes. Additionally, the strategy sets out a vision for better streets; with community-based activities and play streets.

We also remain committed to regulating rail fares to help keep down the cost of living and, in the Budget, announced a trial of a new 26-30 year old railcard to extend concessions to a wider group. Additionally, as part of the rail franchise re-letting process, the Department requires bidders to include proposals that give customers who travel to work or commute part-time a better value for money option than buying multiple return journeys.

The Government is committed to delivering a transport system which works for all. The Accessibility Action Plan will be published in 2018 and will set out the Government’s ambitions to help make transport accessible for all, enabling everyone to connect with their families.