MP puts forward amendment for all train stations to meet disability access standards

Yesterday, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron put forward an amendment to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which would legislate to make all UK railway stations meet disability access standards.

Accessibility is a big issue at stations across South Cumbria including at Arnside, Ulverston and Staveley where the only way to the platform is by climbing 41 steep steps.

Speaking during the Levelling Up Bill Committee in Parliament, Tim said: "Because Staveley is a relatively small station, the Government's schemes and funds such as Access for All, as well as those of previous Governments, were never in a million years going to give it any money.

"In the end, it is outrageous that one of our railway stations - I could also mention Arnside in my constituency and Ulverston in the constituency of my neighbour, the honourable Member for Barrow and Furness - has serious accessibility problems. It is outrageous that just because these are not huge main line stations they are inaccessible for many people in our community.

"New Clause 66 seeks to prevent the kind of bidding game that we will always lose because the station is too small. It makes it compulsory for there to be direct decent access to railway stations for people with disabilities and other mobility issues."

In response, the Levelling Up Minister Lee Rowley said: "I thank the honourable Member for tabling the new clause. I completely accept that access to railway stations - and his particular point about smaller railway stations - is hugely important, and over a long period of time we absolutely must seek to improve accessibility where we are able to do so.

"This is a policy area that is primarily led by the Department for Transport, but it is none the less in scope. I will highlight some things that I know the hon. Member will be aware of but that are important to put on the record. The DFT has already subsidised nearly £400 million under the Access for All programme, with more due to come beyond 2024. That means that broadly during the period the hon. Gentleman has been in Parliament step-free accessible routes have been delivered at more than 200 stations, and smaller-scale access improvements at more than 1,500 stations.

"New design standards for accessible railway standards were introduced in 2015, which means that when we intervene at existing railway stations and facilities are installed, renewed or replaced, new standards should be applied. The plan for rail published a year and a half ago, in May 2021, sets out further reforms that seek to transform the railway industry's understanding of the approach to accessibility.

"Although I completely accept the point that the hon. Member made, and he is absolutely right to have made it, I hope he will consider withdrawing the new clause. While recognising that we have much progress to make, I hope we can make further progress in the coming years."

Tim put the amendment to a vote, however it was defeated by 8 votes to 6 with not a single Conservative MP voting in favour.