DfT ‘lacks urgency’ in fight against disability discrimination

17/06/2025 | GEORGE BARKER

DfT ‘lacks urgency’ in fight against disability discrimination

Influential MPs have accused the Department for Transport (DfT) of 'lacking urgency' in tackling accessibility and the discrimination faced by transport users with disabilities.

MPs on the Transport Select Committee raised the concerns after the DfT seemed to dismiss recommendations they made in a recent committee report on how to improve transport for disabled people.

The DfT rejected calls for transport regulators to be given a mandate and new resources to proactively identify and enforce against breaches of accessibility law, with annual reports on progress.

It also rejected calls for a unified body to handle complaints and carry out enforcement regarding accessibility failures and declined to create a separate Inclusive Transport Strategy ITS separate from its Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS).

The committee stated that its recommendation for ‘comprehensive data collection’ was not addressed directly at all.

The DfT said it would ‘review [its] business case guidance and associated processes at key decision points’ and agreed that there is ‘value’ in reviewing the current legislation but added that the independent Law Commission would be better placed to carry this out.

Transport Committee chair, Ruth Cadbury MP, said: ‘There is a disappointing lack of urgency to deliver real, lasting progress and improve the daily lives of disabled people – to close the gap between rights and reality.

'Our inquiry heard so much evidence from disabled people about how their ability to work, access services and socialise is denied by transport services that fail to live up to the promises of equality legislation and policies. This can’t go on.’

Access denied

The committee's report – Access denied: rights versus reality in disabled people's access to transport – highlighted ‘widespread discrimination’ that was caused by transport operators failing to support disabled users of their services.

It also highlighted difficulties for disabled passengers when they attempted to file official complaints.

To address this, the committee set out a series of key recommendations to government:

  • Lead a review of transport accessibility legislation in collaboration with the Office for Equality and Opportunity
  • Produce an independent Inclusive Transport Strategy (ITS) separate from its Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS)
  • Produce a ‘road map’ for achieving independent accessibility across the rail network via upgrades to rolling stock and stations
  • Collect comprehensive data on accessibility-related incidents
  • Give transport regulators a mandate and new resources to proactively identify and enforce against breaches of accessibility law, with annual reports on this activity
  • Establish single unified bodies to handle complaints and carry out enforcement regarding accessibility failures across all modes of transport.

The full report, along with the Government's and the Transport Select Committee's responses, can be found here.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Highways Network Engineer - WMF2169e

£45,091 - £46,142
This position offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the resilience and effectiveness of our highway network. Kendal,Penrith or Barrow
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highway Network Technician - WMF2168e

£28,598 - £29,540
This role offers an excellent opportunity to gain experience in a specialised area of highways operations while contributing directly Kendal, Penrith or Barrow
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW