Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress she has made on (a) design finalisation, (b) contract award and (c) surveys for the Whitchurch step-free access project.

This government is committed to improving the accessibility of the railway and recognises the social and economic benefits this brings to communities.

In May 2024, the previous government selected 50 stations for initial feasibility work for potential upgrades as part of our Access for All programme. This included Whitchurch railway station. We are in the early stages of understanding the full implications of the Spending Review for Access for All and other rail projects and will engage with stakeholders in due course.