Public Transport: Accessibility

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Tuesday 24th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

My noble friend makes a very good point. The variation in orders for railway rolling stock has been feast and famine. It resulted in the closure of several manufacturing facilities over the last 30 years, and there is now one manufacturing plant and three assembly plants. One of the determinations we have is that the long-term rolling stock and infrastructure strategy produces a forward order book which is sufficient to keep those plants and the workers who work in them running for the long-term future.

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords, accessibility into Macclesfield station is severely curtailed for disabled people. The booking hall has been refurbished, which is most welcome, but it would be helpful if there was a completion date. Can the Minister look into this matter? The travelling public understand that it takes time to do refurbishments, but it would be helpful if they had a completion date as the dates keep changing at Macclesfield.

[Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill (Lab)]

I am sorry—I know quite a lot about the railway system, but I do not know the completion date for the station works at Macclesfield. I will find out for the noble Lord and write to him.