Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to ensure that railway stations on the Tees Valley Line are accessible to passengers with assistant dogs.

The National Rail Conditions of Travel permit the carriage of assistance dogs. Whilst it is not essential, it is recommended that advance notification of travel is provided to ensure that any required assistance is in place at stations. Northern and Transpennine franchise agreements contain a number of relevant obligations such as Minor Works budget expenditure, to make improvements such as new handrails, level access and tactile surfaces. Other obligations include a map covering station accessibility and the installation of ‘Harrington Humps’ to support making stations more accessible in general.