Disabled people must have a say in rail reforms, MP says

The chair of the parliamentary Transport Committee has written to Rail Minister Lord Hendy, urging the government "not to forget disabled people" when planning upcoming rail reforms ahead of nationalization.

Ruth Cadbury, chair of the select committee responsible for scrutinizing the government's transport agenda, has questioned the Department for Transport as to why its consultation on rail reform makes no mention of "requiring Great British Railways to have a duty to consider accessibility."

Campaigners have welcomed Cadbury's letter, while a government spokesperson stated that "accessibility is a core priority for Great British Railways."

MP Cadbury stated: "Measures that provide for disabled people benefit everyone. We urge the government to put this long-overlooked issue at the heart of every aspect of its plans to revitalize rail."

Whitehall officials have been in crisis talks with disability campaigners, who told the BBC they were unhappy that the government had failed to consult on the inclusion of accessibility. One of the campaigners' bottom lines is that the government omitted previously promised measures, such as contributions to the government consultation document "Future of Rail: A Plan for Great British Railways."

The consultation concerns the operating conditions for Great British Railways (GBR) – the operating name for the re-nationalized railways in Britain – with campaigners concerned that accessibility has been excluded. Cadbury noted in her letter that the draft Rail Reform Bill published by the previous Conservative government in February 2024 "contained provisions" requiring GBR to "have regard to the accessibility needs of disabled persons."

Commenting on Cadbury's letter, Caroline Stickland, CEO of Transport for All, said: "We urge the government to put accessibility at the heart of rail reform. This consultation must bring about change that finally makes transport accessible for everyone. We are pleased that Ruth Cadbury and the cross-party Transport Committee share our community’s concerns that the current proposals in the rail consultation are too weak."

The Department for Transport said "accessibility is a core priority," with a spokesperson stating that "any suggestion we are rowing back on our existing commitments to accessibility is incorrect." The spokesperson added: "The Rail Minister met with Transport for All this week and we urge disability groups to share their views and continue to work with the Department for Transport as we shape a railway fit for the 21st century."