Labour demands ministers set out plans to keep fans safe as they return to sports stadiums
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Labour has called on the Transport Secretary to come to Parliament
to set out his plan to ensure spectators can return safely to
stadiums this weekend. Up to 2,000 spectators will be allowed back
into grounds in tier 2 areas from December 2. The party is calling
on the government to ensure bus, rail and tube services can operate
safely and avoid any dangerous ‘bottlenecks’ on networks. Last
week, Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon urged ministers to
suspend peak...Request free trial
Labour has called on the Transport Secretary to come to Parliament to set out his plan to ensure spectators can return safely to stadiums this weekend. Up to 2,000 spectators will be allowed back into grounds in tier 2 areas from December 2. The party is calling on the government to ensure bus, rail and tube services can operate safely and avoid any dangerous ‘bottlenecks’ on networks. Last week, Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon urged ministers to suspend peak fares and provide mass coronavirus testing for transport workers over Christmas to help avoid ‘travel chaos and to keep families safe during the festive period.’ It follows the Government’s announcement that travel restrictions will be lifted from 23 to 27 December to allow people to spend time with family over Christmas. In previous years, over two million people travelled by rail between Christmas and New Year, with millions more travelling by car each day. Jim McMahon MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, said: “Ministers need to have a plan in place to protect fans and transport workers ahead of the return of spectators to sports grounds this weekend. “As eager fans head to kick-offs at their home grounds for the first time in months, they need the confidence that they can do so safely. “The Government needs to deliver mass testing for transport workers and suspend peak fares over Christmas to minimise the risk of overcrowded trains that could spread the virus.
Ends There are five Premier League games this weekend taking place in Tier 2 areas where up to 2,000 are allowed in the stadium
There are five Championship games this weekend taking place in Tier 2 areas where up to 2,000 are allowed in the stadium
There are three Premiership rugby games this weekend taking place in Tier 2 areas where up to 2,000 are allowed in the stadium
- Ministers already ignored a call to come to Parliament on Monday to set out “a comprehensive travel plan to ensure families travelling across the country are kept safe and chaos on our roads and rail network is avoided”. - Labour argues this weekend’s sporting schedule offers a chance to put in place additional safety measures and identify potential problems on public transport early, avoiding a potential collapse and heightened risk over Christmas. - Labour’s wider plan includes: - Mass coronavirus testing of transport workers, including train staff, bus drivers and highway personnel - Delaying by a few days the planned engineering works on the East Coast Mainline to allow people travelling to return home on the 27th December - Instructing Highways England to postpone non-essential road maintenance to help reduce congestion and travel delays. |