Corporate report

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee: annual report 2024 to 2025

Published 27 November 2025

Chair’s foreword

My second year as Chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) has been marked by significant change, both externally and within the Committee itself. At the highest level, a change in government introduced a new ministerial team at the Department for Transport (DfT), bringing with it a renewed commitment to transforming the transport network. Within DPTAC, we bid a heartfelt farewell to 5 highly respected, longstanding members, Will Bee, Dave Partington MBE, Helen Dolphin MBE, Professor Roger Mackett, and Sharon Brennan. Their immense contributions and deep expertise have been instrumental to our work and have benefitted disabled transport users significantly over many years. Simultaneously, we were delighted to welcome a large cohort of 14 new members, bringing a rich diversity of geographical backgrounds, professional experience, and crucially, lived experience of transport accessibility challenges and solutions.

While this period of transition naturally required adjustment, particularly around the general election, it has also injected renewed momentum into our work. With our significantly expanded membership approaching its maximum complement, DPTAC’s capacity to advise government on removing barriers to transport accessibility – both within specific modes and at the crucial multi-modal strategic level – has been considerably enhanced.

A pivotal development this year has been the formalisation of our commitment to providing rigorously evidence-based advice. Our recommendations are now regularly underpinned by referenced evidence, drawing from diverse sources such as existing policy, statutory requirements, academic research, and specific data including surveys or polling. We also recognise the vital importance of lived experience; qualitative insights and individual reports are treated as valuable data points alongside quantitative analysis, contributing to a holistic understanding. Where robust evidence is currently unavailable on a specific issue, we clearly identify advice as a ‘DPTAC view’ based on collective expertise, thereby highlighting potential evidence gaps that may warrant further investigation.

We believe this clarity is crucial. Providing decision-makers within the department and beyond with a clear understanding of the basis for our advice – whether quantitative data, established research, lived experience, or expert consensus – empowers them to make the best-informed choices when shaping policy and practice. To embed this approach, each thematic working group is now represented on our Research & Evidence Working Group. This structure fosters deeper challenge, facilitates resource sharing, and supports the consistent delivery of high-quality, evidence-supported advice across all our workstreams.

This focus on evidence goes hand-in-hand with our efforts to establish a more structured approach to our work planning. We are particularly grateful to our colleagues across the Department for Transport for their increasing engagement at the earliest stages of policy development. This early dialogue allows DPTAC to better anticipate demands, plan our resources effectively, and integrate accessibility considerations proactively, rather than reactively. This collaborative approach has been especially valuable with the initiation of major strategic projects such as the development of Great British Railways (GBR), which includes provisions for a new passenger watchdog, and the development of proposals for an Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS), enabling us to offer timely and constructive support from the outset.

The advice we have provided over the last year reflects this evolving approach, spanning areas from rail reform and bus franchising measures, through to bus and coach accessibility regulations, e-mobility, and the welcome vision for integrated transport. I was also delighted we could hold a committee away meeting on the Isle of Wight, underscoring our commitment to understanding and addressing accessibility needs across diverse UK environments, including rural and island communities.

The publication of the Transport Select Committee’s report, Access denied: rights versus reality in disabled people’s access to transport, was a landmark event at the end of this period. Its conclusions powerfully articulate the systemic barriers that persist. DPTAC is committed to advising the government on seizing the opportunity this report presents to implement the transformative, future-proof changes required.

Looking forward, the fresh perspectives from new members, our evidence-based approach, and the clear call for change highlighted by the Transport Select Committee present an exceptional opportunity to deepen DPTAC’s impact, improve accessibility across the transport network and, ultimately, outcomes for disabled people.

In closing, I extend my profound gratitude to all DPTAC members, past and present, for their expertise, dedication, and tireless efforts – particularly notable given that all members contribute this valuable work on a part-time basis alongside their other professional commitments. My sincere thanks also go to our secretariat for their invaluable support, and to our many colleagues across the transport sector and disability organisations. Together, we have laid stronger foundations this year, and I look forward to building upon this with renewed focus and momentum in the year ahead.

[signed]

Professor Matthew Campbell-Hill, Committee Chair, 14 April 2025

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee

Background

The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) is an expert advisory committee established by the Transport Act 1985 to advise the Secretary of State on matters relating to the needs of disabled persons in connection with public passenger transport.

DPTAC provides advice to the Department for Transport (the department) to assist in the development of policy and other proposals. It acts as a ‘sounding board’ and ‘critical friend’ offering clear constructive advice to the department.

DPTAC works to present a pan-disabled view on the effects of transport legislation, regulation, policy, operation, and guidance. DPTAC has a statutory duty to consider any matter, relating to the needs of disabled people in connection with transport, referred to it by the Secretary of State, and may also provide advice on other issues the committee itself considers relevant to disabled people and the accessibility of transport.

Our priorities

DPTAC’s current priority commitments are to:

• provide timely, focused advice to the department on matters relating to transport for disabled people in support of the department’s priorities of improving performance, growing usage and transforming infrastructure on the network
• take account of the broad views and experiences of disabled people and their families and carers, and develop its advice through effective engagement with the department the transport industry, organisations representing disabled people, and other stakeholders
• work with the department to ensure that accessibility considerations are built into the early policy development of key transport measures, such as the Integrated National Transport Strategy, rail reform and bus reform

Membership

Membership requirements for DPTAC are set out in the Transport Act 1985, which requires that as far as reasonably practicable, at least half of the committee’s membership consists of disabled people. With the makeup of the committee at the end of the 2024-25 period, this figure is closer to 80%. Its membership includes people with lived experience of disability with a broad range of experiences of using transport, working alongside professionals in disability and transport. This allows DPTAC to speak with credibility and confidence on the needs of disabled transport users and effective ways of meeting them.

In the period from April 2024 to March 2025 DPTAC consisted of the Chair and up to 18 members. There was a significant change in membership in November 2024, as 5 long term members of the committee left after the completion of their terms, and 14 new members were appointed.

Members

1 April 2024 to 1 November 2024:

Name	Role
Professor Mat Campbell-Hill	Chair
Sue Sharp	Aviation and Maritime Working Group Chair (until February 2025)
Dave Partington MBE	Rail Working Group Chair
Professor Roger Mackett	Research and Evidence Working Group Chair
Will Bee	Local Transport Working Group Chair
Helen Dolphin MBE	Personal Mobility Working Group Chair
Bryan Matthews	Member
Niki Glazier	Member
Sharon Brennan	Member
Mike Brace CBE DL	Member

1 November 2024 to 31 March 2025:

Name	Role
Professor Mat Campbell-Hill	Chair and Research and Evidence Working Group Chair
Sue Sharp	Deputy Chair
Bryan Matthews	Rail Working Group Chair
Mary Doyle	Local Transport Working Group Chair
Edward Trewhella	Personal Mobility Working Group Chair
Dr Carly Jones MBE	Aviation and Maritime Working Group Chair (from February 2025)
Niki Glazier	Member
Mike Brace CBE DL	Member
Zamila Skingsley	Member
David Sindall	Member
Maral Nozratzadeh	Member
Paul Finnegan	Member
Professor Mari Martiskainen	Member
Mark Cutter	Member
Damian Bridgeman	Member
Ruth Murran	Member
Dr Miro Griffiths MBE	Member
Rachael Mole	Member
Charlotte Pearce	Member (resigned due to a change in circumstances February 2025)

DPTAC adopts a working group structure with remits focussed on different modes of transport. A guide to the committee’s structure can be found at DPTAC working groups.

The committee’s activities

This section of the report summarises the main aspects of DPTAC’s work through the reporting period, by mode or other significant areas of work. DPTAC seeks to maintain a flexible and responsive approach to the provision of advice. This means that it will tailor and provide advice to suit the needs of its audience, which may be provided in writing or verbally at meetings with officials and ministers.

Main committee meetings

During the reporting period for 2024/25 the full committee met in June 2024, December 2024 and March 2025. The minutes for these meetings are published on GOV.UK and are summarised below.

The committee also met for an away meeting on the Isle of Wight and for new member induction in November 2024.

June 2024 meeting

Presentation and discussion on evaluating the Inclusive Transport Strategy

The committee received an update on ongoing work to complete an evaluation of the Inclusive Transport Strategy (ITS), with the intention that this work would be summarised in a report for subsequent publication.

The committee was informed that the evaluation covered the years 2018 to 2023 based on 5 themes within the strategy, which are:

• awareness and enforcement of passenger rights
• staff training
• improved information
• improved physical infrastructure
• the future of inclusive transport

The committee was advised that once the evaluation was complete, its findings would be presented to ministers for their consideration.

DPTAC noted that issues including disabled people’s ability to have confidence in the reliability of transport and the impact of harassment, which is disproportionately higher for disabled people compared to non-disabled people, should be considered within accessible and inclusive transport strategy.

Secretariat update

The Chair provided an update on the new committee members’ recruitment campaign.

Presentation and discussion on Transport Committee report of 2023 to 2024 session

The committee received an update from department officials on the Transport Committee (TC) inquiry into accessible travel legal obligations and were advised that because of the calling of the general election and dissolution of Parliament, the TC had not been able to complete its work and publish a report or recommendations. The committee was told that the TC had provided a summary of its work within its end of Parliament report, which included a summary of the findings from its survey conducted as part of its inquiry.  

The committee was advised that this survey had received 825 responses. Most respondents (72%) were disabled or had specific accessibility needs. 19% of respondents travelled with a disabled person or somebody with specific accessibility needs.

The main findings were:

• 90% of the respondent’s experience challenges or barriers: some people almost every time they travelled
• over one third of respondents frequently avoid certain journeys due to anticipated complications, safety concerns or potential issues
• witnesses said that accessibility issues have worsened in some respects since the COVID-19 pandemic

November 2024 meeting

Isle of Wight away meeting

Committee members attended an away meeting on the Isle of Wight, focused on transport accessibility for rural communities.

DPTAC heard from local transport providers and advocacy groups on enhancing accessibility, emphasising multi-modal transport solutions, and identifying potential areas for improvement.

New member induction

The new cohort of members attended an induction session at the DfT London offices on 14 November.

Members were introduced to the committee’s role, ways of working and current members, and were introduced to relevant DfT officials and areas of work. This included introductions to officials responsible for rail, local transport, aviation, cross modal accessibility and autonomous vehicles, with maritime following at the December main meeting.

December 2024 meeting

Welcome and introduction of new members

The meeting commenced with a comprehensive round of introductions.

Members discussed their conflicts of interest, to be recorded by the secretariat.

Overview of ways of working

The Chair outlined a vision for cross-functional working groups, with a particular emphasis on collaboration, connecting academic research to government needs and creating a system where institutional knowledge can be more effectively shared.

The secretariat signposted the induction pack and the terms of reference within it for further guidance on ways of working.

Work programme priorities

DPTAC and the secretariat will work together to develop a prioritised, flexible work programme that balances project timelines, member capacity, and strategic accessibility goals. The focus of the committee will be on supporting ministers by identifying key opportunities and challenges across practical issues, thematic areas and strategic questions.

Strategic cross-modal accessibility update

DfT accessibility representatives provided an overview of the ITS – published in 2018 – for the committee.

DPTAC was advised that departmental officials would be working with ministers to develop plans on the future of cross-modal accessibility policy and how the department will manage ongoing commitments and future priorities as part of wider strategy development (for example, an Integrated National Transport Strategy) and the missions of government.

Lord Hendy’s roadmap for rail accessibility

DfT Rail and Great British Railways Transition Team (GBRTT) representatives discussed Lord Hendy’s commitment to developing and publishing an accessibility roadmap for rail services. This would aim to improve accessibility in advance of Great British Railways (GBR) being established. The importance of early engagement in accessibility planning was highlighted, noting that it may be more cost-effective to implement accessibility features from the outset rather than retrofitting later.

DfT Rail and GBRTT representatives emphasised the need to integrate this accessibility roadmap with other transport initiatives, including the Integrated National Transport Strategy, the upcoming rail bill and long-term rail strategy. A goal of which would be incorporating rail accessibility as part of a broader, interconnected public transport network that benefits all passengers.

DfT Second Permanent Secretary

The DfT Permanent Secretary, Jo Shanmugalingam, introduced herself and discussed accessibility challenges in transportation policy, with key discussions around the role of the DPTAC in policymaking. DPTAC members highlighted the importance of a person-centric approach, emphasising the need to understand and address barriers for those not currently using transportation networks.

Maritime accessibility

The DfT Maritime team highlighted an interest in quantifying the economic benefits of accessibility measures, with a maritime accessibility survey underway and plans to host a conference at the Maritime Museum in Liverpool in March 2025.

The team also underlined the importance of understanding accessibility challenges and sought to develop strategies for more cost-effective implementation, especially in a tight fiscal climate.

March 2025 meeting

Welcome, conflicts of interest and minutes of previous main meeting

The Chair welcomed everyone and asked for new real, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest; members shared their new conflicts of interest. 

The minutes from the previous meeting received no comments from the attendees.

Chair and committee reflections on the quarter  

Chair opened by inviting feedback from attendees on first quarter with DPTAC.  

Working Group (WG) Chairs expressed satisfaction with their working group’s progress while noting challenges with time management due to the workload.  

Chair encouraged WG Chairs to proactively reach out when needed, suggesting workload redistribution around the membership where necessary.  

Chair emphasised the importance of more comprehensive meeting documentation, clarifying that WG Chairs should delegate minute-taking responsibilities.

Secretariat update  

The newly appointed Joint Head of Secretariat introduced himself and gave an update on procedures for submitting enquiries and requests to the secretariat team.

Implementation of the Automated Vehicles Act 

Officials from the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) presented the overarching timelines for the Automated Vehicles Act implementation programme to the committee, noting the intention to implement the regulatory framework in the second half of 2027.   

The Chair has actively participated in the programme’s Expert Advisory Panel.     

Committee members expressed significant interest in the presentation and engaged in discussion regarding the human aspects of accessibility requirements and how DPTAC can continue its involvement moving forward.

Integrated National Transport Strategy 

The committee received a comprehensive update on the Integrated National Transport Strategy (INTS) which will be published this year and sets the long-term vision for transport in England, focusing on how transport should be designed, built and operated to better serve all people who use it and enable them to live fulfilling lives.  

The strategy was launched in November 2024 and received positive feedback. In November 2024, a public call for ideas launched which asked people and organisations about their experience of transport in England and what could be done to make it better. This closed on 20 February 2025.

Future engagement plans include a series of people’s panels with a focus on engaging with “seldom heard” groups about their experience of transport, and policy roundtables to test and challenge elements of the INTS with policy experts. Committee members were invited to work with the INTS team to shape these sessions.  

The update was followed by substantive discussion on demographic shifts, climate change, connectivity challenges, and devolution considerations.

Work programme  

WG chairs provided updates on the following WGs: Aviation and Maritime, Local Transport, Research and Evidence and Personal Mobility. 

The session allowed committee members to gain further insight into the various initiatives underway across the committee’s WGs.

DPTAC Working Groups

DPTAC adopts a working group structure to undertake its work. During the reporting period 2024/25 there were 5 active working groups covering Aviation and Maritime; Rail; Local Transport; Personal Mobility; and Research and Evidence. These groups are expected to remain fully active in the next reporting period, 2025/26.

Aviation and Maritime Working Group

The Aviation and Maritime Working Group advises on aviation related policy, working with the Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and other stakeholders to promote aviation accessibility. The Working Group also advises on maritime accessibility policy working with the department and the Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The working group was chaired by Sue Sharp until February 2025. Dr Carly Jones MBE then took up this role.

Members:

• Sue Sharp (Chair until February 2025, continuing as a member)
• Dr Carly Jones MBE (Chair from February 2025)
• Helen Dolphin MBE (until 31 October 2024)
• Sharon Brennan (until 31 October 2024)
• Mike Brace CBE DL
• Mary Doyle (from November 2024)
• Rachael Mole (from November 2024)
• David Sindall (from November 2024)
• Niki Glazier (from November 2024)

Through 2024/25, activities spanned consultations, meetings, and contributions to research and policy developments, aiming to improve the travel experience for disabled passengers, including:

Aviation Task and Finish Group

Engaged in the work of the Aviation Task and Finish Group (AATFG). Established following ministerial direction in 2024, the aim of the group is to assess existing and emerging evidence on key issues and barriers to air travel for disabled and less mobile passengers, and to develop practical and achievable actions that will lead to improvements for disabled passengers, that can be implemented by the aviation industry, or where appropriate, by government or the regulator. The group is due to report to the Secretary of State by summer 2025. DPTAC members Sue Sharp and Carly Jones are members, with Carly chairing the Hidden Disabilities sub-group.

Maritime passenger accessibility survey 2024 

Engaged with the responsible DfT project team through cognitive interviews to ensure improved understanding of survey questions flagged from the 2023 survey. Additionally provided advice on appropriate terminology to use around disability and ensuring that the survey was compatible with assistive technology and equally accessible for all.

Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) engagement

Joint discussions with DfT and MCA regarding the MCA checklist following DPTAC’s feedback in the previous year.

Review and discussion of MCA Port Inspection Report and Vessel Inspection report.

Maritime Accessibility Conference 

Attended and participated at the Maritime Accessibility Conference held by the DfT and MCA in Liverpool, dedicated to the issues, challenges, and opportunities facing passenger accessibility in maritime. DPTAC engaged particularly on the issue of elevating best practice above the minimum standard and the challenges of assessing reasonable adjustment requests.

Accessibility training

Conducted a comparison of training requirements in industry regulations covering maritime with those for aviation, yet to be completed.

Rail Working Group

The Rail Working Group advises on matters relating to rail accessibility.

Members:

• Dave Partington MBE (Chair until 31 October 2024)
• Bryan Matthews (Chair from November 2024)
• Sue Sharp (until 31 October 2024)
• Professor Roger Mackett (until 31 October 2024)
• Niki Glazier
• Mike Brace CBE DL
• (Anthony) Mark Cutter (from November 2024)
• Dr Carly Jones MBE (from November 2024)
• Professor Mari Martiskainen (from November 2024)
• Ruth Murran (from November 2024)
• David Sindall (from November 2024)
• Mary Doyle (from November 2024)

During 2024/5, the Rail Working Group (RWG) continued its focus on providing advice aimed at enhancing rail accessibility and engaging with key stakeholders in the rail industry. This included advising on the content of consultations, performing reviews of wide ranging reform plans, attending workshops, and directly advising on rail matters, including:

Rail reform 

Provided a response to the previous government’s draft rail reform bill pre-legislative scrutiny call for written evidence.

Gave advice on the Railways Bill consultation A railway fit for Britain’s future, particularly around engagement regarding accessibility considerations and key proposals put forward in the consultation from an accessibility perspective.

Passenger watchdog

Provided early advice on the scope of the passenger watchdog with regard to rail, particularly around accessibility complaints procedures, responsibilities and handling.

Disabled Persons Railcard

Engaged with DfT on a range of issues regarding the Disabled Person’s Railcard, including affordability and eligibility criteria.

Station Welcome Points

Advice provided to Rail Delivery Group on the design and approach to Welcome Points in stations, leading into the launch of the Welcome Point trials in early 2025

National Rail Accessibility Strategy

Engaged with the National Rail Accessibility Strategy (NRAS) steering group throughout 2024, discussing and contributing to potential approaches to the results from the previous year’s consultation.

Accessibility road map 

Held meetings with DfT and GBRTT to feed into the scope and development of the accessibility road map.

Accessible information regulations

Provided advice, in conjunction with the Local Transport Working Group, on the application of accessible information regulations (AIR) to rail replacement services. 

Consultation responses

Submitted responses to consultations on the Persons with Reduced Mobility National Technical Specification Notices (PRM NTSN), Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR) exemption extensions, and ORR benchmarking of passenger assist performance.

Local Transport Working Group

The Local Transport Working Group advises on matters relating to bus, coach, taxi and private hire vehicle accessibility.

Members:

• Will Bee (Chair until 31 October 2024)
• Mary Doyle (Chair from November 2024)
• Sharon Brennan (until 31 October 2024)
• Professor Roger Mackett (until 31 October 2024)
• Mike Brace CBE DL
• Damian Bridgeman (from November 2024)
• (Anthony) Mark Cutter (from November 2024)
• Paul Finnegan (from November 2024)
• Ruth Murran (from November 2024)
• Maral Nozratzadeh (from November 2024)
• David Sindall (from November 2024)
• Edward Trewhella (from November 2024)

During 2024/5, the Local Transport Working Group (LTWG) provided advice across a range of activities including consultations and policy development, related to local transport accessibility, including:

Bus Services (No.2) Bill

Provided advice on the department’s approach to accessibility measures in the bill, focused on improving the application of staff training and providing powers for statutory guidance for personal safety and accessibility at bus stations and stops.

Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations

Engaged with DfT on the Public Service Vehicles Accessibility Regulations (PSVAR) review report, delayed as a result of the general election.

English National Concessionary Travel Scheme

Participated in meetings with DfT regarding the concessionary bus pass.

Input into a review of the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme (ENCTS).

Provided advice on updated guidance for local authorities on assessing eligibility for the ENCTS.

Floating bus stops

Engaged in meetings with DfT, Living Streets and further stakeholders on research around floating bus stops.   

Collaborated on advice on floating bus stops as part of a package of advice to ministers on the issue.

Accessible information regulations on rail replacement services

In conjunction with the Rail Working Group, provided initial advice and answers to follow up questions on the application of accessible information regulations (AIR) to rail replacement services.

Meetings and engagements 

Continued attendance and engagement at the National Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Working Group, Bus Centre of Excellence Stakeholders Group / Advisory Board, including a presentation of findings on the impact of anti-social behaviour on disabled people using public transport, and the National Centre for Accessible Transport Summit. DPTAC has also been invited to the UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel, starting in 2025.

Personal Mobility Working Group 

The Personal Mobility Working Group advises on matters relating to personal mobility and independent travel. This includes active travel, mobility aids, built environment, driving, including autonomous vehicles, and micro-mobility.

Members:

• Helen Dolphin MBE (Chair until 31 October 2024)
• Edward Trewhella (Chair from November 2024)
• Professor Roger Mackett (up until 31 October 2024)
• Sue Sharp
• Bryan Matthews
• Damian Bridgeman (from November 2024)
• Paul Finnegan (from November 2024)
• Dr Miro Griffiths MBE (from November 2024)

The Personal Mobility Working Group (PMWG) focused on several areas during 2024/5, activity included:

Micromobility

Engaged with DfT officials on the issue of establishing a regulatory regime for on street micromobility, including providing a response to the on-street micromobility regulatory framework targeted consultation.

Mobility aid regulations

Worked with DfT Priority Projects Team across several meetings to inform DfT’s aids policy development, particular regarding the existing “invalid carriage” regulations and how they impact disabled people’s mobility.

National Public Transport Access Nodes accessibility

Met with DfT officials to discuss National Public Transport Access Nodes (NaPTAN), specifically around bus stops.

Active travel

Continued a good working relationship with Active Travel England (ATE) to support them in ensuring that accessibility is a fundamental part of their work. Engaged on a broad range of work including providing advice on an update to the safety code for street works and work with the technical advisory group on inclusive crossings.

Pavement parking 

Fed into ongoing work on pavement parking policy in England and provided advice on accessibility considerations.

Wheelchair accessible vehicles transition to zero emission vehicles

Continued participation in the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles Transition Monitoring Group, a forum for parties involved in the transition of wheelchair accessible vehicles to zero emissions.

Automated vehicles 

Provided advice to DfT officials on the human aspects of accessibility surrounding the Automated Vehicles Act 2024 implementation programme, in addition to participation in the programme’s Expert Advisory Panel. 

Buckle guards 

Engaged in discussions with stakeholders, including emergency services, transport providers, DVSA, DfE and DfT on the buckle guard’s issue.

Discussed research possibilities and timescales around the use of personal restraints in private vehicles.

Research and Evidence Working Group

The Research and Evidence Working Group advises on research and the use of data in relation to disabled people’s access and use of public transport. The working group also has a slightly adjusted role post November 2024, with members providing guidance to other working groups on research methodologies for their advice.

Members:

• Professor Roger Mackett (Chair until October 31st 2024)
• Mat Campbell-Hill (Chair from November 2024)
• Dr Miro Griffiths MBE (from November 2024)
• Professor Mari Martiskainen (from November 2024)
• Rachael Mole (from November 2024)
• Maral Nozratzadeh (from November 2024)
• Zamilla Skingsley (from November 2024)

The Research and Evidence (R&E) Working Group engaged in numerous activities throughout 2024/5, Their work spanned across multiple meetings with DfT staff, and providing advice on research and data analysis related to accessible transport. Areas of focus included:

DfT research 

Engaged with the DfT’s Accessible and Inclusive Travel Division to provide advice on accessibility research, with a focus on identifying gaps in lived experience data.

Maritime passenger accessibility survey 

Provided advice to DfT officials on the questions and language used in the maritime passenger accessibility survey 2024.

Buckle guards

Provided support to the Personal Mobility Working Group’s work on buckle guards by completing a full literature review on buckle guards and vehicle restraints.

Purple pound

Conducted an internal review into the purple pound as a policy tool and its impact.

Meetings and engagement

Engaged on the topic of accessibility research with stakeholders such as Disability Rights UK, Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the National Infrastructure Commission, including attending the ORR Year in Rail 2024 and the National Centre for Accessible Transport (NCAT) Accessible Transport Summit.

Register of members’ interests

Professor Matthew Campbell-Hill: DPTAC Chair

Employment: Professor of Novel Technology Design and Adoption at the University of Birmingham, CoMoUK advisory group member on increasing access to shared micromobility.

Directorships: Non-executive director at DVSA; The International Innovation House Ltd; Aerosol Shield Ltd; and Ted’s Light CIC Ltd.

Shares: Nudea Ltd.

Bryan Matthews

Employment: Lecturer at the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds.

Directorships: Member of the Steering Group of the Centre for Disability Studies at the University of Leeds.

Dave Partington MBE

Employment: Heritage Development Officer.

Helen Dolphin MBE

Employment: Consultant at Dolphin Diversity – contracting for Great British Railways Transition Team, Co-Chair Heathrow Accessibility Group, Member of CAA consumer panel.

Niki Glazier

Employment: Service Lead for Mental Health Together.

Shares: Rolls Royce

Professor Roger Mackett

Employment: Co-investigator on the WISH2 (Wellbeing Impact Study of HS2) project with RAND Europe investigating how the development of HS2 might affect the mental health and wellbeing of people who live near the railway line (wish2.org) in his role of Emeritus Professor of Transport Studies at University College London (since 1 June 2021).

Sharon Brennan

Employment: Head of Policy and External Affairs at National Voices.

Sue Sharp

Directorships: Trustee of Driveability Scotland.

Member: Network Rail Built Environment Access Panel, Independent Gatwick Advisory Panel (IGAP)

Will Bee

Directorships: Directorship for the Board of Trustees at Wellspring Settlement.

On the Control Period 7 planning group.

Zamila Skingsley

Trustee: UNICEF UK

Non-Executive Director: Torus Group 

David Sindall

In receipt of a private pension from the Railway’s Pension Fund. 

Dr Carly Jones MBE

Employment: International consultancy work on non-visible disabilities and safeguarding.

Mary Doyle

Owner, Rocket Girl Coaching: Independent inclusion and training consultancy

Chair/Consultant: British Airways, Customer Accessibility Advisory Panel 

Co-Chair/Consultant: East West Rail Company, Access Advisory Panel

Member: Wilson James, Disability Stakeholder Forum

Member: London Luton Airport, Access Advisory Panel

Member: British Standards Institute, Wheelchair Standards Committee

Member: RAF Museum London, Access Advisory Panel

Fatemah Nozratzadeh

Employment: University of Leeds, School of Law, postgraduate researcher.

Paul Finnegan

Employment: Executive Director of Lighthouse, a suicide prevention charity in Belfast.

Chair of the Independent Medical Examiner Workgroup, DoH.

Member: Belfast Area Integrated Partnership Board (AIPB)

Professor Mari Martiskainen

Employment: University of Sussex, Professor of energy and society.

Director of UKRI-funded Energy Demand Research Centre (EDRC), based at Science Policy Research Unit (SPRU).

Mark Cutter

Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service (Judicial Office Holder)

Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service (Judicial Office Holder) 

Northern Trains (Independent Chair, Northern Accessibility User Group)  

Rail Accessibility Inclusion Forum – RAIFN (Independent Chair, Northern Accessibility User Group)

Metanoia Institute, Doctoral Candidate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy

London Accessibility Psychotherapy and Inclusive Supervision, Psychotherapist

Damian Bridgeman

Deputy Chair of the RSA Fellowship Council and Director of Freedom 365.

Ruth Murran

Currently litigating a personal injury case against LNER

Dr Miro Griffiths MBE

Adviser to the UK Government Department for Work and Pensions (Disability, Health and Support Directorate)

Adviser to the UK Government Department of Health and Social Care (Adult Social Care Workforce Strategy and Capacity Division)

Member of the Inclusive Education Coalition

Royal Society of Arts (RSA) Invited Fellow

Member of the International Sociological Association

University of Chester – consultancy

University of Liverpool – consultancy

British Council – consultancy

IPSOS – consultancy

Green party member

Trustee of Disability Positive

Trustee of Outside Centre

Rachael Mole

Director, Moleworks Solutions Ltd.

Secretariat for Financial Inclusion Commission

Lloyds Bank Foundation business development partner

Sounddelivery Media Charity Trustee

Charlotte Pearce

Contracted on an interim basis for DOHL

Consulted for GBRX, Network Rail

Edward Trewhella

Employment: Part Time CEO, Driving Mobility

Budget

DPTAC is funded by the Department for Transport to cover members fees and expenses. DPTAC’s expenditure for the 2024-25 financial year was £203,388.46. this included fees and sundry expenditure.