Observations

Hull Paragon Station Gate

1. The petition of Residents of the United Kingdom,
2. Declares that it is wrong to restrict access to the only pick-up and drop-off point at Hull Paragon Station, by closing the Anlaby Road gates throughout the day; notes that for many disabled people, this is the only accessible route into the station (access to only disabled car parking spaces); further notes that First TransPennine’s suggestion that people should call a mobile number and wait to be admitted will result in (a) disabled people being left vulnerable while waiting to be admitted, (b) longer journey and waiting times and (c) disabled people being treated differently to able bodied people and calls on First TransPennine to provide unrestricted access to this point.
3. The petitioners therefore urge the House of Commons to put pressure on the Government to work with First TransPennine Express and provide unrestricted access to the only pick-up and drop-off point and disabled car parking spaces at Hull Paragon Station, by leaving the Anlaby Road gate open throughout the day.
4. And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Emma Hardy, Official Report, 9 July 2019; Vol. 663, c. 284.]
5. [P002489]
6. Observations from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Ms Ghani):
7. The closure of the Anlaby Road gates is for a three-month trial which started on 17 June and will finish on 6 September, after which TransPennine Express (TPE) will assess whether the results of the trial justify extending the closure. TPE closed this gate to try and curb vandalism and antisocial behaviour in full consultation with, among others, the British Transport Police (BTP) and it was a BTP approved solution to at least carry out a three-month trial to see if this reduced vandalism and antisocial behaviour. TPE is assessing the results of the trial on a week-by-week basis and at the end of the trial, it will assess the results overall based on the evidence gathered.
8. Ultimately, though, it is the Government’s view that this is an operational matter for the station operator, TPE, to consider. The Anlaby Road exit/entrance at Hull Paragon station is not the only accessible route into and out of the Interchange. Passengers who have a disability or those who require extra assistance to use train/bus services and want to use the Anlaby Road exit/entrance can call the dedicated number which is clearly signposted and provided audibly at the entrance. TPE also provides full travel assistance for older and disabled customers. This can be arranged and booked at any time up to two hours before arrival/departure (if travelling from Hull to a TPE managed station) by calling TPE’s Assisted Travel Team on 0800 107 2149 or using an on-line booking form¹.

St Rollox Railway Works

NHS hospital services in the Consett area

1. The petition of residents of North West Durham,
2. Declares that a succession of Government funding reductions has led to fewer services being delivered at Shotley Bridge Hospital; and further that this reduction of services threatens the viability of a community hospital in the Consett Area.
3. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to ensure there is no reduction of local NHS Hospital services in the Consett area.
4. And the petitioners remain, etc. —[Presented by Laura Pidcock , Official Report, 26 June 2019; Vol. 662, c. 769 .]
5. [P002482]
6. Observations from The Minister for Health (Stephen Hammond):
7. This Government are committed to ensuring that people across the country are able to access the right care at the right time and in the right place. However, it is the Government’s view that Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are best placed to make decisions on commissioning health services for their communities, based on local need and working closely with local authorities and other partners.