Thank you for your regular updates on the rail
industry’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. I want
to share my thanks to everyone working hard to keep our
railways running, so all those who need to get to work
can do so, including NHS staff on the
frontline of tackling the virus.
It is critical that people who need to do so are able
to travel to work in a safe and reliable manner during
this challenging time for the country. I am writing to
ask specifically that the industry continues to ensure
the needs of disabled people are met during this time.
Rail must, irrespective of the circumstances, always be
accessible for all.
Working with operators, we have strengthened our
commitment to a more accessible railway in recent
months, including announcing 124
stations to benefit from a share of £20
million for mid-tier improvements, part of our
£300 million Access for All programme, and the launch
of It’s Everyone’s
Journey, ensuring those with non-visible
disabilities have a safe, accessible network.
Since the government issued advice for people to avoid
travel unless necessary, I have been concerned to hear
from disability campaigners about a few incidents at
rail stations where individual passengers were
apparently refused assistance. I feel strongly that
social distancing measures should not limit access in
this way and would request that staff have access to
clear guidance to ensure they can support all
passengers using our railways. I would like to thank
you for your assurances that RDG has updated its
guidance for operators, so rail workers can remain safe
without building barriers to travel for disabled key
workers.
We will be working closely with the Office of Rail and
Road (ORR)
to investigate any reports of failure to provide
assistance to disabled people during the COVID-19
outbreak. Our position on accessibility remains the
same, even in these extraordinary times – delivering an
accessible service for every passenger is essential to
creating an inclusive railway.
Yours sincerely
Minister of State for Transport
