§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list all Network SouthEast Stations which are inaccessible to wheelchair users. [23188]
§ Mr. WattsTwelve operating companies—TOCS—serve the former Network South East area. There is no detailed information available centrally about the accessibility of individual stations.
However, following the restructuring of the railways, as a condition of their licences, the TOCs are required to seek the Rail Regulator's approval for their disabled persons protection policies, which should contain a description of the current facilities, both for stations and for rolling stock. The Rail Regulator plans to use that data to form the benchmark against which station and rolling stock improvements will be measured.
§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to ensure that Railtrack does not levy financial penalties on train operating companies if train services are late due to disabled passengers requiring extra assistance. [25483]
§ Mr. WattsNone. I have no reason to believe that meeting the needs of disabled passengers causes significant delays to services.