Office of Rail and Road meeting

I attended a Parliamentary drop-in session on 19 March 2025, organised by The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) who are an independent non-ministerial government department accountable to Parliament. the ORR  protect the interests of rail users, overseeing the value and performance of rail infrastructure and the health and safety of the rail industry across Great Britain. They also hold National Highways to account for its management of motorways and A roads in England.

I raised the issue of step free access at Bescot Stadium Station. Having had meetings with Ministers and written numerous letters to network Rail, the Walsall Football Supporters and I met with Network Rail who promised a solution in November 2023. They said they would have the solution in 6 months, by April 2024  but at a recent meeting Network Rail referred me back to the West Midlands Combined Authority Mayor.  

The Access for all fund is under review by this Government with the announcement being made in a response to a Westminster Hall debate on 18 March 2025. AfA has a 5 year cycle and if stations are no allocated within that cycle they have to wait for another 5 years. There is another fund the City Region Sustainable transport fund which is only available in 2027. 

In the meantime people with disabilities and those with pushchairs or even suitcases who use Bescot Stadium Station have to struggle with the lack of accessibility at the station. This is unacceptable and prevents people from access to leisure, work and getting on with their lives.  

I was told this would be raised with Network Rail again.