Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance he has issued to (a) local authorities and (b) businesses on the access needs of disabled people when making changes to roads, pavements and parking spaces as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Department published statutory guidance to local authorities under the Traffic Management Act 2004, providing advice on the changes that Government expects them to make to their road layouts to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians. This includes a reminder that local authorities need to be mindful of the requirements of equalities legislation, ensuring, for example, that in redesigning and reallocating road space they take careful account of the impacts this may have on disabled people. The guidance is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities.
It is for local authorities to decide what measures are appropriate on their roads and what they are able to achieve with the resources they have.
The Department for Transport has not provided guidance to businesses on this matter.
Asked by: Abena Oppong-Asare (Labour - Erith and Thamesmead)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether support is in place for people whose travel insurance did not cover their having to cancel their holiday as a result of being unable to secure a mandatory covid-19 test before travelling.
Answered by Kelly Tolhurst
Whether a consumer is entitled to a refund depends on the terms of the contract in place or the terms and conditions of the insurance policy. Consumers are encouraged to first contact travel providers or accommodation providers for reimbursement. In the next instance, credit card providers may be able to provide a refund under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 if the payment was made by credit card. The department is in regular contact with industry and has encouraged businesses to act fairly during this unprecedented event.