As announced by the Secretary of State for Transport in January, the Northern franchise will change on Sunday 1 March.
Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said:
“The Northern franchise change is an opportunity for all parts of the industry to work differently to deliver the services people need and want. Urgent reform is needed to make sure different parts of the railway aren’t pulled in different directions again. Our proposals to the government’s review would boost accountability, ensure all parts of the railway are joined up and better deliver for passengers in the long term. The industry is looking forward to the proposed white paper to reform the railway and we stand ready to facilitate smooth implementation with a clear focus on customers.”
The Welsh Government has expressed its disappointment after stations on the Wales & Borders network have missed out on UK Government funding, describing it as “the UK Government’s failure to deliver the investment they are responsible for.”
The Welsh Government has also said it is in the early stages of considering alternative funding arrangements for stations that have not been selected.
On 26th February the UK Government confirmed investment in accessibility improvements in rail stations in Great Britain. Ruabon, Haverfordwest and Whitchurch (Shropshire) were all endorsed by the Welsh Government, but have not been selected by the UK Government in the final funding allocations.
Additional regional accessibility improvements at a further 30 stations were endorsed by the Welsh Government but declined by the UK Government.
The schemes selected were lift additions at Grangetown, Llantwit Major (2), Pontypool and Neath, all through joint funding from the Department for Transport, Transport for Wales, and third party funding (for example local authorities).
Part of Transport for Wales’ funding offer could be used to help schemes that have not been selected, though it may have to meet additional costs from approved schemes. The Welsh Government and Transport for Wales are in discussions over this issue.
Ken Skates, Economy, Transport and North Wales Minister, commented:
“It is disappointing that the UK Government has decided to invest in just 4 of the 7 projects we had promoted and offered to match fund.
“I have therefore asked Transport for Wales and rail industry partners to urgently consider the scope for using the matched funding commitment we offered to progress step free access at the excluded stations, under our own direct investment. This is because of the U.K. Government’s failure to deliver the investment they are responsible for.
“Stations with strong community support for step free upgrades have been excluded from funding. Unfortunately it is another example where passengers are set feel the effect of the UK Government’s continuing underinvestment in Welsh railways.”
“Meanwhile, I am pleased that work will go ahead at the four successful stations.”
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi mynegi ei siom ar ôl i Lywodraeth y DU benderfynu peidio â rhoi arian i orsafoedd ar rwydwaith Cymru a’r Gororau, gan ei ddisgrifio fel “methiant Llywodraeth y DU i ddarparu’r buddsoddiad y maent yn gyfrifol amdano.”
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru wedi mynegi ei siom ar ôl i Lywodraeth y DU benderfynu peidio â rhoi arian i orsafoedd ar rwydwaith Cymru a’r Gororau, gan ei ddisgrifio fel “methiant Llywodraeth y DU i ddarparu’r buddsoddiad y maent yn gyfrifol amdano.”
Mae Llywodraeth Cymru hefyd wedi dweud ei bod yn y camau cynnar o ystyried trefniadau ariannu gwahanol ar gyfer gorsafoedd nad ydynt wedi’u dewis.
Ar 26 Chwefror, cadarnhaodd Llywodraeth y DU y byddai’n buddsoddi mewn gwelliannau hygyrchedd mewn gorsafoedd rheilffordd ym Mhrydain Fawr. Cafodd Rhiwabon, Hwlffordd a’r Eglwys Wen (Swydd Amwythig) eu cymeradwyo gan Lywodraeth Cymru, ond nid yw Llywodraeth y DU wedi’u dewis yn y dyraniadau cyllid terfynol.
Cafodd gwelliannau rhanbarthol ychwanegol o ran hygyrchedd mewn 30 o orsafoedd eraill eu cymeradwyo gan Lywodraeth Cymru ond fe’u gwrthodwyd gan Lywodraeth y DU.
Ymysg y cynlluniau a ddewiswyd oedd ychwanegu lifft yn Grangetown, Llanilltud Fawr (2), Pont-y-pŵl a Chastell-nedd, y cyfan drwy gyllid ar y cyd gan yr Adran Drafnidiaeth, Trafnidiaeth Cymru a chyllid trydydd parti (er enghraifft, awdurdodau lleol).
Gellid defnyddio rhan o gynnig cyllid Trafnidiaeth Cymru i helpu cynlluniau nad ydynt wedi’u dewis, er efallai y bydd yn rhaid cwrdd â chostau ychwanegol drwy’r cynlluniau a gymeradwywyd. Mae Llywodraeth Cymru a Trafnidiaeth Cymru yn trafod y mater hwn.
Dywedodd Ken Skates, Gweinidog yr Economi, Trafnidiaeth a Gogledd Cymru:
“Mae’n siomedig mai dim ond 4 o’r 7 prosiect y gwnaethom eu hyrwyddo a chynnig darparu arian cyfatebol ar eu cyfer y mae Llywodraeth y DU wedi penderfynu buddsoddi ynddynt.
“Felly, rwyf wedi gofyn i Drafnidiaeth Cymru a phartneriaid yn y diwydiant rheilffyrdd ystyried ar frys y posibilrwydd o ddefnyddio’r ymrwymiad arian cyfatebol rydym wedi’i gynnig i symud ymlaen i gynnig mynediad heb risiau yn y gorsafoedd nad ydynt wedi’u cynnwys, yn unol â’n buddsoddiad uniongyrchol ein hunain. Mae hyn oherwydd methiant Llywodraeth y DU i ddarparu’r buddsoddiad y maent yn gyfrifol amdano.
“Mae gorsafoedd sydd â chefnogaeth gref yn y gymuned ar gyfer gwaith uwchraddio heb risiau wedi’u heithrio o’r cyllid. Yn anffodus, mae hon yn enghraifft arall lle mae teithwyr yn teimlo effaith diffyg buddsoddiad parhaus Llywodraeth y DU yn rheilffyrdd Cymru.”
“Yn y cyfamser, rwy’n falch y bydd y gwaith yn mynd yn ei flaen yn y pedair gorsaf lwyddiannus.”
124 stations across Great Britain to benefit from a share of £20m for accessibility improvements
Latest in a series of improvements by the Transport Secretary to accelerate the pace of change for a more accessible transport network
Follows launch of new campaign to improve journeys for disabled people when using public transport
Disabled passengers across Great Britain are set to benefit from accessibility improvements at 124 stations thanks to a £20m government fund.
The enhancements announced by the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps today (February 26) are funded through the Access for All programme and will include new lifts, accessible toilets and customer information screens.
It comes as a new Government campaign launched this week to improve the journeys of disabled passengers on public transport.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“The ability to travel easily from A to B is an essential factor for our day to day lives – but is not the reality for everyone.
“I recognise that we have much more to do, which is why we’re making 124 train stations across the country more accessible – a key part of levelling-up access for disabled people to transport and opening up opportunities for all.
“This is just the start of a much more ambitious agenda. My goal is to go much further in the years ahead to help ensure that our country’s transport system becomes one of the most accessible in the world.”
These improvements are being made through the Access for All programme which, since 2006, has already made more than 200 stations step free, as well as delivered smaller scale accessibility improvements at more than 1,500 others to improve passenger experience.
Today’s £20million is part of a £300million package announced last year which is already providing accessible, step free routes at 73 stations across Great Britain, making it easier for disabled people to travel on the UK’s rail network.
Minister for Disabled People Justin Tomlinson said:
“Everyone using our rail network deserves platforms and toilets they can use and this £20million investment to improve 124 railway stations across the country will make a huge difference to disabled people.
“This Government is committed to levelling up the playing field and later this year we’ll launch a national strategy which will ensure disabled people have equal access to all spheres of life.”
This follows the launch of the ‘it’s everyone’s journey’ advertising campaign to highlight how we can all play a part in making public transport inclusive. The campaign is being supported by more than 100 partners, including First Group, WHSmith Travel and the Alzheimer’s Society.
Department for Transport research has shown that behaviours that make public transport a daunting place for disabled people are often unconscious, such as not looking out for a fellow passenger who might need a seat or be in distress.
‘it’s everyone’s journey’ will raise awareness about the needs of disabled people when using public transport, particularly people with non-visible impairments, and will also prompt members of the public to think and consider how their behaviour might impact others.
Alongside this, the Department has also launched its Inclusive Transport Leaders scheme, an accreditation scheme which will encourage, celebrate and promote best practice in inclusive transport.
Operators, such as bus and train companies, are encouraged to sign up to the Inclusive Transport Leaders Scheme, where they will work towards one of three accreditation levels by demonstrating the steps they have taken to improve the travelling experiences of disabled passengers, older people, and those with reduced mobility.
These improvements form part of the wider Inclusive Transport Strategy and supports the Government’s ambition of achieving equal access for all on public transport.
