4 Accessibility of local stations PDF 74 KB
Minutes:
The Panel welcomed Rory Jee, Route Enhancements Manager for Network Rail.
· The key challenge is funding. Network Rail are open for business and keen to help Merton develop solutions to rail-focussed accessibility issues that have been identified.
· The Department for Transport offered 300m funding across the country. The shortlist is developed using 5 or 6 key metrics, including foot fall, location proximity to schools and hospitals etc.
· There has been no feedback from DfT yet on how those metrics impacted the final list.
· Some stations have no easy solutions, whereas some can be improved with three or four smaller funding streams. There are minor and mid-tier accessibility improvements that can be looked at also.
· Responsibility for lifts differs between Network Rail and South West Trains – will check re; Wimbledon.
The Assistant Director of Sustainable Communities, added;
Merton do have a dialogue with TFL and would be very keen to engage with Network Rail.
The third Local Implementation Plan was consulted on from 12th March to 1st April and will proceed to Cabinet in June, before sending to TFL for their approval on 28th June.
The Chair asked if it would be useful for the LIP to come to Panel.
JM – Cabinet will take feedback in June but I can return to brief the Panel on the plan.
JM agreed the consultation results would be circulated for comment.
RESOLVED
“The Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Panel welcomes this opportunity to raise issues about the need to improve accessibility in the borough and welcomes the attempt by Officers to access funding to address the work required at Raynes Park and Motspur Park stations. The Panel request that they should receive additional evidence from Officers at the 27 June Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Meeting to demonstrate that further action is being explored within the Local Implementation Plan to address how we will improve access for all residents and deliver on the Mayors Transport Strategy outcomes”.