Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether there is a minimum legal time between the announcement of a train’s boarding platform and its subsequent departure; and what action they are taking to ensure that train operating companies do not disadvantage older passengers, passengers with young children, wheelchair users and passengers with a disability by not leaving enough time between the announcement of the platform and the train's departure.

There is no minimum legal time between the announcement of a train's boarding platform and its subsequent departure.

The Department expects train operating companies and station operators to provide timely, accurate information to all passengers at every stage of their journey, including prior to departure. The National Rail Conditions of Travel place a responsibility on operators to make available information that will help passengers to plan and successfully complete their journey. All operators are required as a condition of their licence to have in place a Disabled People’s Protection Policy with a commitment to providing, wherever possible, clear and consistent aural and visual information of train departures and other relevant messages, particularly in the event of delays or disruption.

Station staff are encouraged to be alert to anybody who may require assistance.