Fiona Hall backs campaign for extra space on trains for wheelchairs, buggies and bicycles

5.10.08pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 12th Mar 2007

Fiona Hall MEP

Local Lib Dem MEP Fiona Hall is backing European Parliament proposals for a railway package that could mean extra space on trains for bicycles, baby carriages, wheelchairs and sports equipment. Fiona has received many messages of support welcoming the move to make train use easier, including a letter from an elderly lady in Newcastle who has experienced great difficulty when using her mobility scooter on the Metro system. Fiona is pushing the UK Government to back a law to require trains to have a dedicated space for bicycles, baby carriages, wheelchairs and sports equipment.

"For the sake of the environment we should be encouraging more people to cycle and use public transport.By taking up these proposals, the UK Government would be helping to integrate cycling and train travel and make both modes of transport easier to use."

Gareth Kane, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesperson for Newcastle Central, a keen cyclist welcomed Ms Hall's action, he added:

"Not all trains have designated areas for bicycles and this makes taking the environmentally friendly option difficult and frustrating at times. I am thrilled that our MEP is urging the Government to adopt these proposals."

Fiona Hall is asking people to contact her if they face difficulties when travelling by trains with bicycles, wheelchairs, baby carriages or sports equipment.

The Lib Dem has received letters from concerned train users who have experienced difficulty when travelling with bicycles on trains . Following today's vote in Strasbourg, Ms. Hall has written to the Transport Minister Douglas Alexander MP asking him to support the extra space proposals in the Council of Ministers.

Fiona Hall said "I have written to the Transport Minister, Douglas Alexander MP asking him to confirm that the UK Government will give its full support on this aspect of the EU railway package MEPs this week approved the requirement as part of the EU's third railway package. If supported by European Transport Ministers too, the requirement would lead to all trains having specially designated areas for bicycles, wheelchairs, baby carriages and sports equipment.

Fiona wrote to the Department of Transport asking for its backing for the new measures but has received a disappointing response. The Minister has declared he is against this proposal and will be fighting against it in negotiations with other European Transport Ministers. Fiona Hall has expressed her disappointment after receiving a reply from Junior Transport Minister Tom Harris declaring that the UK Government is against European Parliament proposals that would mean extra space on trains for bicycles, baby carriages, wheelchairs and sports equipment.

Mr Alexander said that he intended to fight against the proposals in negotiations between the Parliament and the Council (that is, Transport Ministers from the 27 EU member states).

Fiona said:

"This is very bad news for all the people who would like to travel by train but cannot get access at the moment. It is particularly disappointing for users of mobility scooters. We should be supporting people with disabilities and encouraging public transport for the sake of the environment. Instead the Government is doing its utmost to block this measure."