6. What assessment has the First Minister made in terms of disabled access at train stations across Wales? OAQ(5)0437(FM)

Accessibility for all is a cornerstone of our approach to public transport. We monitor passenger satisfaction with stations using research undertaken by Transport Focus and, of course, following that, we see what kind of barriers should be removed in order to ensure that no barriers exist in train stations for those who wish to use them.

Thank you for that response, First Minister, and further to that, over the past few months I’ve received a number of complaints about the ability of disabled people to use a number of train stations, including Cwmbran, Abergavenny and Pontypool. Now, whilst recognising that train stations are devolved at the moment, what are you as a Government doing to ensure that stations across Wales do reach the appropriate standards?

I agree totally with that. Two hundred and forty-five stations come under the franchise in England and Wales, and only a quarter are staffed at present. We will expect significant improvements to be made as regards access to these stations over the term of the next franchise.

First Minister, Port Talbot had a station that had terrible disabled access and, after many, many years of campaigning, particularly by my predecessor, Brian Gibbons, the station improvement grant was allocated to ensure that Port Talbot became upgraded, and I'm sure you welcome the changes that we now see in Port Talbot for disabled access and disabled facilities on the station. However, it’s slightly been tarnished by perhaps some of the conditions and flooring and dirt we’re now seeing as a consequence of perhaps an indecision between Network Rail and Arriva trains as to who runs the station. Will you learn lessons from this development to ensure that disabled access is there, and it’s going to continue to be a good access, clean access, for everybody? Will you also look at the opportunities gained in transport hubs around railway stations, so that disabled access is not just on the station itself, but is also getting to the station and, from there, into the station?

Well, transport hubs are hugely important in terms of delivering public transport across Wales, and they have to be as accessible as they—well, they have to be accessible, full stop. We are aware of cleanliness issues at the station. Arrangements are currently being finalised for a new cleaning regime and security presence until the end of the franchise in October of next year, and after that date the services will be provided by the rail operator.

First Minister, Dai Lloyd in his opening question mentioned the problems for people with disabilities at Abergavenny station. If I can focus on those, you may be aware of the work of one of my constituents, disabled access rights campaigner Dan Biddle, who’s worked tirelessly both in my area and across Wales over the last few years to try and improve disabled access. Whilst you’re right to say, and Dai Lloyd was right to point out, that a large aspect of this isn’t devolved, of course the management of Abergavenny station is within the remit of Arriva Trains and that franchise. What are you doing to make sure that, as that new franchise date of 2018, I believe it is, fast approaches, disabled issues really are put at the heart of all this so that, even if they can’t be fully solved when the new franchise starts, a new focus can be put on that so that disabled people in my area in Abergavenny and across Wales do have that access to stations that they deserve?

Well now that we will be in full control of the franchise, the opportunity is there to make sure that our stations are then accessible. It is hugely important that those issues are dealt with, certainly as part of the next franchise arrangements, to make sure that all can use trains in the future.

We had a visit to the Assembly last week from Whizz-Kidz, a group of wheelchair users, who had recurring complaints that transport staff hadn’t been trained to deal with disabled people. This was unfortunately the case with rail staff, bus drivers, and taxi drivers. What can your Government do to ensure that transport staff are properly trained in this respect?

Well, it’s a matter for the operators, of course, to ensure they comply with the law. I’ve seen staff, certainly in my own station in Bridgend, very competently assist people who need assistance, and certainly I’ve heard nothing but praise about the staff there. With regard to bus services, it’s patchy. I do remember some years ago the council in Bridgend installing raised kerbs at every bus stop only for the bus company to introduce buses that didn’t lower. They were, effectively, coaches with a seat that could be lowered onto the ground—quite often that seat didn’t work. That’s a fine example of a transport company not thinking about the needs of its customers. But, certainly, it’s hugely important that transport companies comply with the law as it stands in order to make sure that access is there for all.