HC Deb 25 March 1996 vol 274 cc457-8W
Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sums were spent on measures to improve access for disabled people within local railway stations in Wales in the last three years. [22231]

Mr. Watts

No central record is maintained of amounts spent on facilities for disabled people at individual stations.

Mr. Dafis

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures Railtrack is taking to address the needs of wheelchair users and other disabled persons in local railway stations in Wales. [22233]

Mr. Watts

It is for each train operating company providing train services in Wales to produce its own plans as to how it will improve access facilities for disabled people on trains and at the stations operated by it. These plans will be set out in its disabled persons protection policy which each TOC has to have approved by the Rail Regulator.

Of the seven TOCs operating in Wales, Great Western Trains Co. Ltd, which is now a private sector company, has received approval for its DPPP from the Rail Regulator. The remaining TOCs involved are all at an advanced stage in obtaining approval from the Rail Regulator for their own DPPPs.