DPTAC Main Committee meeting minutes December 2024
Updated 18 March 2025
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10am to 2pm, Wednesday 4 December 2024, Department for Transport (DfT) London and online.
Attendees
DPTAC: Matthew Campbell-Hill (Chair), Sue Sharp (Vice-Chair), Bryan Matthews, Carly Danesh Jones, Charlotte Pearce, Damian Bridgeman, David Sindall, Edward Trewhella, Maral Nozratzadeh, Mari Martiskainen, Mary Doyle, Mike Brace CBE DL, Miro Griffiths, Niki Glazier, Paul Finnegan, Rachael Mole, Ruth Murran and Zamila Skingsley.
Guests: Jo Shanmugalingam (DfT Second Permanent Secretary), DfT Rail, Great British Rail Transition Team (GBRTT), DfT Accessibility, DfT Maritime, and DPTAC Secretariat.
Apologies: Liz Wilson, Deputy Director, Accessible and Inclusive Travel Division.
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 Inclusive Transport Strategy – published in 2018 – for the committee.
DPTAC were 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, the Integrated National Transport Strategy) and the missions of government.
Lord Hendy’s roadmap for rail accessibility
DfT Rail and 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.
Next meeting
The next DPTAC main meeting is scheduled for 19 March 2025.