Oral Answers to Questions

Oliver Ryan Excerpts

Wednesday 18th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[The Prime Minister]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising this matter. I know how much it impacts his constituents and how deeply they feel about it. It is important, as we reset and clear up the mess that was left, that we have in our mind’s eye those who are most affected, and make sure that it is fair and that their voices are heard, and we will do so.

[Oliver Ryan (Burnley) (Lab/Co-op)]

Q14. Burnley Manchester Road station is a key driver of growth. It is Burnley’s link to Manchester and Leeds and, more importantly for them, it is their link to Burnley. There were more than half a million journeys from the station last year, and yet it is inaccessible. Despite big, empty promises from the last Tory Government, we are no closer to fixing that. A promise of funding was made, but it never came. Will the Prime Minister help me to get this delivered and back my campaign to make Burnley Manchester Road an accessible, modern station, fit for Burnley’s ambitions?

[The Prime Minister]

My hon. Friend is a great champion on this issue and I will ensure that he gets a meeting with the Rail Minister to discuss the detail. The previous Government took the decision not to shortlist Burnley Manchester Road station for accessibility improvements. We are giving Lancashire combined county authority £641 million, with the freedom to invest in its priorities, including better accessibility. That is what a Labour Government represent: empowering local people to make the best decisions for their local area.