Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans he has to include provisions on step free access in the upcoming white paper on the railway network; and on what date (a) that white paper and (b) the Williams Rail Review are planned to be published.

The Government wants to ensure step free access for as many passengers as possible. It remains committed to transforming our railways and building on Keith Williams’ evidence-based priorities, including to deliver improved accessibility. We want to create a railway that puts passengers first, delivers better value for money and supports the nation’s recovery from Covid-19.

Covid-19 struck when the Williams Rail Review was in its final stages. We believe the priorities that Keith set out remain the right ones and we are working with him now to consider how best to deliver reform in light of these unique challenges.