AQW 11972/17-22

Mr Andrew Muir
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 11/12/2020
Answered On Date: 21/12/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail plans in place to make railway stations and halts accessible to people with a disability.

Answer:

In recent years, my Department has made significant strides in improving the accessibility of our public transport network and it is my ambition as Minister to ensure those improvements are delivered working closely with our stakeholders. There is active engagement, for example, with the Inclusive Mobility Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC), who have provided essential advice to my Department for many years.

Whilst there is more work to do to improve the inclusivity of our public transport network, I can confirm that my Department and Translink fully consider the needs of people with a disability when designing projects. To that end, I can confirm that a number of development proposals are in place to improve our railway stations and halts including the development of the Belfast Transport Hub and the refurbishment of Yorkgate Station. Whilst plans to build or refurbish rail station and halts are dependent upon available capital budget and competing priorities within the Department, I can assure you that these projects, when taken forward, will be designed in consultation with IMTAC as we strive to improve the accessibility of our public transport network.