Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will take steps to help ensure national oversight of new Local Transport Plans to ensure that they are meeting the (a) access and (b) environmental requirements of a more accessible integrated transport system.

The Department for Transport is considering the need for guidance to local authorities on this and other matters in the light of the Prime Minister’s Network North announcement in October, which represents a significant change in the Government’s funding of local transport schemes. Local authorities are already required under the Public Sector Equality Duty to consider the impacts of their plans and policies on those with protected characteristics. The Department’s ‘Inclusive Mobility’ guidance, published on GOV.UK, provides advice and best practice to them on the development of accessible transport and pedestrian environments.