Government response to Petition on Hull Paragon Station Gate - Jul 22

The petition of Residents of the United Kingdom,

Declares that it is wrong to restrict access to the only pick-up and drop-off point at Hull Paragon Station, by closing the Anlaby Road gates throughout the day; notes that for many disabled people, this is the only accessible route into the station (access to only disabled car parking spaces); further notes that First TransPennine’s suggestion that people should call a mobile number and wait to be admitted will result in (a) disabled people being left vulnerable while waiting to be admitted, (b) longer journey and waiting times and (c) disabled people being treated differently to able bodied people and calls on First TransPennine to provide unrestricted access to this point.

The petitioners therefore urge the House of Commons to put pressure on the Government to work with First TransPennine Express and provide unrestricted access to the only pick-up and drop-off point and disabled car parking spaces at Hull Paragon Station, by leaving the Anlaby Road gate open throughout the day.

And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Emma Hardy, Official Report, 9 July 2019; Vol. 663, c. 284.]

[P002489]

Observations from the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Ms Ghani):

The closure of the Anlaby Road gates is for a three-month trial which started on 17 June and will finish on 6 September, after which TransPennine Express (TPE) will assess whether the results of the trial justify extending the closure. TPE closed this gate to try and curb vandalism and antisocial behaviour in full consultation with, among others, the British Transport Police (BTP) and it was a BTP approved solution to at least carry out a three-month trial to see if this reduced vandalism and antisocial behaviour. TPE is assessing the results of the trial on a week-by-week basis and at the end of the trial, it will assess the results overall based on the evidence gathered.

Ultimately, though, it is the Government’s view that this is an operational matter for the station operator, TPE, to consider. The Anlaby Road exit/entrance at Hull Paragon station is not the only accessible route into and out of the Interchange. Passengers who have a disability or those who require extra assistance to use train/bus services and want to use the Anlaby Road exit/entrance can call the dedicated number which is clearly signposted and provided audibly at the entrance. TPE also provides full travel assistance for older and disabled customers. This can be arranged and booked at any time up to two hours before arrival/departure (if travelling from Hull to a TPE managed station) by calling TPE’s Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 or using an on-line booking form¹.

The toilets at Hull Paragon station were rebuilt as new as part of a £1.6 million refurbishment and were opened last year. TPE is looking to expand the toilets and waiting room. This is currently going through the design process and is due to be built later this year. It has received funding of £90,000 for this project, which will be to a high anti-vandalisation specification. This work will start after a programme of works by the station operator has been carried out.