Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will have discussions with local stakeholders on a Dorset Railcard scheme.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There are many local concessionary passes that are valid on National Rail, such as the Cornwall and Devon Railcard, which have been introduced by local authorities and train operators. Any discussions for a Dorset-based railcard would be subject to engagement between the local area and South Western Railway as the relevant train operator.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of introducing a Dorset Railcard to support residents with travel costs.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
There are many local concessionary passes that are valid on National Rail, such as the Cornwall and Devon Railcard, which have been introduced by local authorities and train operators. Any discussions for a Dorset-based railcard would be subject to engagement between the local area and South Western Railway as the relevant train operator.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of step-free access for (a) disabled passengers, (b) older residents and (c) families with children at Dorchester South Station.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Since 2006 the Access for All programme has installed accessible, step free routes at over 270 stations plus a range of smaller scale access improvements at around 1500 stations.
In May 2024, the previous government agreed the publication of a list of 50 additional stations selected for initial feasibility work, which included Dorchester South railway station.
Network Rail have now completed all 50 feasibility studies and we will shortly be announcing which of those stations will progress.
I am pleased that Dorset Council have already pledged some funding for the project but would welcome any further contributions that could be found.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when her Department plans to announce the outcome of the feasibility study into step-free access at Dorchester South station.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Since 2006 the Access for All programme has installed accessible, step free routes at over 270 stations plus a range of smaller scale access improvements at around 1500 stations.
In May 2024, the previous government agreed the publication of a list of 50 additional stations selected for initial feasibility work, which included Dorchester South railway station.
Network Rail have now completed all 50 feasibility studies and we will shortly be announcing which of those stations will progress.
I am pleased that Dorset Council have already pledged some funding for the project but would welcome any further contributions that could be found.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether Dorchester South station will be prioritised for funding under the Access for All programme following the feasibility study.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Since 2006 the Access for All programme has installed accessible, step free routes at over 270 stations plus a range of smaller scale access improvements at around 1500 stations.
In May 2024, the previous government agreed the publication of a list of 50 additional stations selected for initial feasibility work, which included Dorchester South railway station.
Network Rail have now completed all 50 feasibility studies and we will shortly be announcing which of those stations will progress.
I am pleased that Dorset Council have already pledged some funding for the project but would welcome any further contributions that could be found.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions her Department has had with (a) Dorset Council and (b) local stakeholders on funding contributions towards accessibility improvements at Dorchester South Station.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognise the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.
Since 2006 the Access for All programme has installed accessible, step free routes at over 270 stations plus a range of smaller scale access improvements at around 1500 stations.
In May 2024, the previous government agreed the publication of a list of 50 additional stations selected for initial feasibility work, which included Dorchester South railway station.
Network Rail have now completed all 50 feasibility studies and we will shortly be announcing which of those stations will progress.
I am pleased that Dorset Council have already pledged some funding for the project but would welcome any further contributions that could be found.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to require train operating companies to guarantee that rail replacement services will be accessible for disabled passengers.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Rail replacement services operated by train operating companies must meet the needs of disabled passengers. This includes using vehicles compliant with the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations 2000 (PSVAR). The train operators can only use non-PSVAR compliant vehicles when no compliant vehicle is available under the current exemption which will expire in July 2026. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) collects data on the levels of compliance with the PSVAR from the train operators. The ORR’s Annual Consumer Report for 2024/2025 showed that 96 per cent of rail replacement vehicles met required standards.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that South Western Railway rail replacement bus services are fully wheelchair accessible.
Answered by Keir Mather - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Regulatory requirements apply to South Western Railway (SWR) to ensure rail replacement buses meet the necessary standards on accessibility. SWR works with its rail replacement providers to ensure services are accessible as far as possible, but if accessible options are not available, SWR will arrange alternative accessible transport.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will have discissions with Dorset Council on the adequacy of the scheduling of the (a) Axminster to Exeter train and (b) its connecting bus services from Bridport and Lyme Regis.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Following the successful introduction of the Arterio fleet elsewhere on the South Western Railway (SWR) network, there will be an opportunity to look at the South Western timetable in detail. Relevant stakeholders, such as Dorset council, will have the chance to comment.
The government knows that integrated public transport is vital to keeping communities connected. We also know that in rural areas, bus services can be a lifeline for many and can be the only means of accessing services, including other modes of transportation such as rail links. The government believes that local authorities, working with bus operators, are best placed to determine and design local bus networks in their area, including ensuring integration with other modes, and the government does not intervene in local decisions regarding individual bus routes or services.
Asked by: Edward Morello (Liberal Democrat - West Dorset)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department is taking steps with Dorset Council to tackle the use of illegal e-bikes in West Dorset constituency.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
E-bikes can only be legally used on the roads where they comply in full with the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle Regulations 1983.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has a market surveillance unit and has the powers to act against retailers selling non-compliant e-bikes across the country, including in West Dorset.
Where such e-bikes are used on the roads, the police have powers to seize them. The powers for the police to act are being strengthened in the Crime and Policing Bill, so that the police will no longer be required to provide a warning before seizing any vehicle, including an e-bike, where it is being used anti-socially.