Chamber and committees

Scottish Government submission of 17 June 2021

PE1869/A - Make it law for all railway stations to have step free access

Thank you for your request seeking Scottish Government consideration on legislation requiring all stations to have step-free access.

Rail Accessibility remains a reserved matter to the UK Government under the Devolution Settlement, The Scotland Act 1998 (as amended by the Scotland Act 2012). Schedule 5 to the act sets out those matters which are reserved to the UK Parliament, Rail transport can be found within Part II, Head E.

It is however the policy of the Scottish Ministers to have all rail matters, including accessibility, fully devolved to the Scottish Government to enable us to better deliver for Scotland’s rail users.

The Department for Transport sponsored fund, Access for All, enables eligible projects to be supported after consideration against a specified criteria. While we work closely with the Department for Transport to agree priorities, the final decision rests with them.

The Access for All programme, by March 2019, created step free access at 25 Scottish stations. Over the course of the current rail funding period (2019-2024) the Access for All and Mid-Tier programmes will deliver step-free access at Anniesland, Croy, Dumfries, Johnstone, Port Glasgow, Uddingston and Anderston.

• The Scottish Government however remains committed to improving access at stations beyond the UK Government programme and where possible, we look to improve accessibility as part of wider rail investments.

Our vision is that all disabled people can travel with the same freedom, choice, dignity and opportunity as other citizens. When making decisions about which stations to improve, we prioritise in terms of need and available budgets across the whole of Scotland.

The Strategic Transport Projects Review 2, Phase 1 recommendations included a proposal to review accessibility across Scottish Stations. Whilst it is too early to comment on any outcome to the review, Project 12 reinforces the Scottish Government commitment to improve access for all to Scotland’s Rail Network.

Examples of where we accessibility improvements have been achieved through larger projects are:

• Stirling – Dunblane – Alloa and Shotts electrification programmes delivering step-free access at Stirling, Livingston South, West Calder, Addiewell, Fauldhouse and Cleland stations.
• Aberdeen to Inverness Improvement project provided two new fully accessible stations, Forres and Kintore benefitting from enhanced active travel and public transport connectivity.

Further the Scottish Government contributed funding, through the Scottish Stations Fund, for a new fully accessible station to be built at Robroyston, connecting Scotlands two largest Cities for the residents of Robroyston and Millerston.

Throughout 2019-2024, the Scottish Government plan to deliver step-free access at Aviemore, Pitlochry, Nairn and Kingussie rail stations. Additionally, working jointly with Network Rail, accessibility improvements will also be delivered at Carstairs as part of a package of major renewals. The renewals project is fully funded by the Scottish Government. These improvements, whilst planned, are all subject to affordability constraints.

Future accessibility improvements which feature within the rail pipeline include:

• Shotts & Hartwood, Network Rail has been engaged to carry out feasibility studies, the aim of which is to identify options for improving accessibility at the stations.
• East Kilbride & Barrhead Enhancements, accessibility improvements are being considered as part of these larger projects. The East Kilbride Enhancements will also relocate Hairmyres station and make it fully accessible.
• New fully accessible stations are planned at Dalcross, Levenmouth (Leven and Cameron Bridge), Reston and East Linton. In addition developers are in discussion with Transport Scotland for a new station at Winchburgh.
• Accessibility improvements for Dunkeld & Birnam station are being considered as part of the A9 Dualling Pass of Birnam project. Once an option has been agreed for this road project, Transport Scotland and Network Rail will consider accessibility improvements to the station in more detail.

ScotRail’s Passenger Assist service provides assistance to those who need help when travelling on the ScotRail network. Where there is currently no disabled access at a particular station, passengers can make arrangements with ScotRail for taxi transportation to/from the nearest manned station.

Passenger Assistance can be requested from ScotRail in a variety of ways, such as free-phone, free deaf phone, visit to staff stations, or via an online form.

Travellers in Scotland can now book Passenger Assistance with 1 hours’ notice. This compares with many other UK train operators still requiring 6 hours’ notice.