Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government which disability and accessibility groups they consulted before launching the consultation on proposed closures to rail ticket offices.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
In partnership with industry, the Rail Minister and department officials held roundtables with industry and accessibility stakeholders and passenger representative groups on 6 June and 18 July 2023 to discuss potential reforms. Over 20 different organisations were represented at the different roundtables.
Through the industry-led Ticketing and Settlement Agreement process train operating companies have put forward proposals to change the opening hours or closure of station ticket offices and recently consulted on these. The consultation closed on 1 September and the independent passenger bodies, Transport Focus and London TravelWatch, are currently assessing the proposals and consultation responses.
We expect train operators to work collaboratively with the passenger bodies in the coming weeks, to listen to the concerns raised and to refine their proposals accordingly.
The Department continues to engage with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and other accessibility and transport groups.
Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consultation took place, and with which disability groups, organisations and charities, before the Rail Delivery Group's consultation on Ticket Office closures was launched on 5 July.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Department hosted roundtable discussions with industry and accessibility and transport groups to discuss this matter prior to the Rail Delivery Group's consultation launched on 5 July. We continue to engage with the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee and other accessibility and transport groups.
When proposing major changes to ticket office opening hours – including closures – train operators are required to take into account the adequacy of the proposed alternatives in relation to the needs of passengers who are disabled; and to include this in the notice of the proposal sent to other operators and passenger groups. We would also expect operators to consider other equality related needs and make this clear in the notice sent to other operators and passenger groups.
Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they will take to ensure that public consultations on railway ticket office closures will be accessible for disabled people.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
When proposing major changes to ticket office opening hours, including closures, operators are required to take into account the adequacy of the proposed alternatives in relation to the needs of passengers who are disabled, and to include this in the notice of the proposal sent to other operators and passenger groups.
Under the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement process, train operators are required to put notices at stations advising passengers of any proposals and what changes could mean for them. Train operators have also made information relating to their consultations available on their websites. We would expect train operating companies to make sure their consultations are accessible.
Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to enforce the new British Standards Institute Accessible Electric Vehicle Standard for charging stations.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
While compliance with Publicly Available Standard (PAS) 1899, published by the British Standards Institution (BSI) last year, is voluntary, the Government is actively encouraging relevant parties to adopt its specifications.
The Government will continue to work with industry and other parties to ensure effective implementation of PAS 1899 and inform the 24-month review of the standard, which will be led by the BSI.
Asked by: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to their announcement on 21 February regarding new electric vehicle charging points to be installed across England, how many will be accessible for wheelchair users.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Local EV Infrastructure Fund provides Local Authorities with funding to deliver a public chargepoint network that best suits the needs of the local area. Through the Local EV Infrastructure Support Body, the Government provides Local Authorities with expert advice to develop these projects, including guidance on accessibility.
The Government will continue to monitor whether further intervention is needed on accessibility over time.