Question reference: S6W-02086
- Asked by: Murdo Fraser, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 5 August 2021
-
Current status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 31 August 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding whether Dunkeld and Birnam railway station is eligible for support from the Access for All fund to improve pedestrian platform access, including the immediate instalment of a temporary footbridge throughout the period of the construction work at the station, and, if it does not meet the criteria for such support, whether an application can be made to the Local Rail Development Fund to assess these requirements.
Answer
Rail accessibility is a reserved matter for the UK government and the criteria for selection for an accessibility scheme is set by the Department for Transport and assessed by them via the Access for All scheme:- Access for All: funding to improve accessibility at rail stations - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
No discussions have been held as the station does not meet the UK government’s criteria.
Transport Scotland is, however, considering four possible route options for the A9 Dualling Pass of Birnam to Tay crossing section, all of which improve access to Dunkeld and Birnam station. The project team is currently in discussions with Network Rail regarding possible improvements, including accessibility, and the team will look to work closely with stakeholders to consider these improvements in more detail once a preferred route option has been selected.
The Scottish Government remains committed to improving access at stations beyond the UK Government programme. Where possible, we look to improve accessibility as part of wider rail investments and a £2 million Scottish Government Local Rail Development Fund was relaunched in February 2019 to respond to the interest and enthusiasm shown by local organisations in looking at opportunities to tackle local transport issues including accessibility. The 2019 fund is now closed however, Tactran applied for funding and is currently undertaking appraisal work for a potential Tay Cities Park & Choose Strategy at Stirling and Bridge of Earn Strategic Park & Ride along the Perth-Montrose rail corridor.