Railway Stations

Transport written question – answered at on 27 July 2010.

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Photo of Gavin Shuker Gavin Shuker Labour, Luton South

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport

(1) what progress his Department has made on implementing the recommendations in the Better Rail Stations review;

(2) what recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of facilities at (a) Luton rail station, (b) all category B rail stations and (c) all rail stations operated by First Capital Connect;

(3) what assessment he has made of the compliance of Luton rail station with the minimum station standards set out in the report of the Better Rail Stations review.

Photo of Theresa Villiers Theresa Villiers The Minister of State, Department for Transport

The "Better Rail Stations" Report highlighted concerns about the state of a number of stations and noted the inconsistent level of facilities at stations. The adequacy of facilities at all stations, including Luton, was considered as part of the review and the report made a number of recommendations around consistent minimum facilities and standards at all categories of stations.

These, along with other proposals within the report, will be considered as part of our programme for reform of the railways, though the need to address the deficit may have an impact on decisions.

We propose to grant longer franchises in order to give operators the incentive to invest in the improvements passengers want, including better stations. We are also considering options to alter the balance of responsibility for stations between Network Rail and the train operators.

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