Question
I associate the official Opposition with your comments, Mr Speaker, regarding the sad loss of Sue Holt. We send our condolences to her family and friends. Likewise, as many of the “Carry On” films were made in Buckinghamshire, at Pinewood Studios, I wish the Clerk of the House a very happy retirement. The Government have been warned by more than 290 organisations that their guidance on dangerous floating bus stops puts visually impaired people, deaf people and people with mobility issues at risk. Will the Minister acknowledge that cycling and active travel infrastructure must not come at the expense of disabled people’s safety? Some proponents of active travel, including those in the Department for Transport, must stop compromising the safety of disabled people who simply want to use public transport.50% point-scoring
Answer
Let me be absolutely clear that this Department does not compromise the safety of anyone when they are crossing the road. The Department published statutory guidance on the provision and design of floating bus stops with Active Travel England in January, and all traffic authorities must have regard to that guidance. It provides very clear advice on floating bus stops and the need to design them with passengers, cyclists and pedestrians in mind. The most concerning and troublesome floating bus stops are no longer being built, but we continue to work on this issue. We understand the concerns, and we are absolutely determined to deal with the matter.25% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (65/100)
The reply addresses both parts of the question. It states that the Department does not compromise anyone's safety when people cross the road, and it points to floating bus stop guidance that requires designing for passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. On the call to stop unsafe schemes, it cites statutory guidance that traffic authorities must consider, says the most concerning floating bus stops are no longer being built, and commits to continuing work on the issue. However, it does not explicitly accept the principle or the call in those words, so a reader may want more direct confirmation.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Minister acknowledge that cycling and active travel infrastructure must not come at the expense of disabled people's safety? | Addressed | Direct | The reply does not literally say 'yes, I acknowledge', but it affirms the underlying principle by stating the Department does not compromise anyone's safety when crossing the road, and it points to floating bus stop guidance that requires designing for passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. Together these answer whether active travel must not come at the expense of safety. |
| Calls on the Department for Transport, and other proponents of active travel, to stop compromising the safety of disabled people who use public transport. | Addressed | Direct | The reply responds to the call on the Department and other proponents by citing statutory guidance that all traffic authorities must have regard to, stating that the most concerning floating bus stops are no longer being built, and committing to continue work on the issue. This covers both the Department and other proponents, though it does not explicitly accept the call to 'stop' in those words. |