My work as Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson
In my role as Transport Spokesperson, I speak up for local and national issues affecting passengers and the transport network.
Cracking down on headphone dodgers
In April during PMQs, I called for tougher action to stop ‘headphone dodgers’, people who play music or loud content on their phones on public transport without headphones. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and safe on public transport without being disturbed by others.
Polling from Savanta found 75% of those who use public transport stated this disturbed their journeys, while over 80% agreed headphone dodging is unacceptable in a YouGov poll. Although various byelaws exist prohibiting such actions, my party is calling for the law to be simplified, publicised, and enforced.
Recently, I put in an amendment to the Bus Bill to give local authorities the power to introduce bylaws prohibiting such disruptive antisocial noise on buses.
Step-free stations
Fighting for a fair deal for transport includes pushing for fully accessible and inclusive travel. I won and led a debate on step free stations, calling for reform for disabled users on the rail network. With only 25% stations fully step-free, far too many people are being excluded including many disabled & older people and parents & carers with buggies. Public transport should be accessible for all, and the Government must take further steps to address this.
While we have seen positive progress in Wimbledon with the opening of Motspur Park Station Lift, the latest win in Merton Lib Dems’ decade long campaign for accessible transport, there is still a long way to go. I also called on the Mayor of London to stick to his word and urgently address the huge rise in lift closures over the past few years. You can watch my interview on this here and read my article here.
Safer transport for women and girls
Worryingly, data shows incidences of sexual offences on public transport rising in recent years. Sexual offences on the UK bus network have risen by 13% in the first six months of 2025.
The Government has backed my call for free travel for police on buses and is working on how to deliver it. Safer buses are vital, especially for women and girls, and this policy will help ensure greater safety and confidence across the network.
Rail Fare Freeze
I've urged the Government to scrap any plan for a rail fare rise to get more people using trains. It's a false economy to keep pricing people out of rail travel.
We're told train fares in England may increase by 5.8% next year, despite punctuality in Britain at its lowest level since 2020. This simply isn't fair. Commuters are being taken for a ride.
We simply cannot allow the current rate of inflation to set rail fares while services get worse. Labour’s election promises ring hollow as passengers are being hit with inflation-busting rises on top of cancelled trains, driver shortages and chaos across the network.
To increase rail fares at all in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis would be a slap in the face to ordinary people.
Holding Labour Accountable
I’m also committed to holding the Government to account as rail nationalisation plans are rolled out, to ensure passengers get a fair deal. I recently wrote to the Transport Secretary, following expensive missteps by her department in contract negotiations in the run-up to the nationalisation of South Western Railway (SWR) to ensure her government focuses on value for money and getting a better deal and more reliable service for passengers.
I recently joined Lib Dem colleagues in writing to the Chief Exec of Network Rail, raising concerns about declining performance and passenger experience since the SWR network was nationalised.
I also joined Lib Dem colleagues in calling for answers about the long-delayed fleet of ‘new’ trains that have been moth-balled since 2019, held up by software issues and other seemingly avoidable problems including protracted negotiations with the unions (including whether the driver or the guard opens & closes the doors!) and a continuing lack of trained drivers.
Promoting Active Travel
I spoke in a children’s Road Safety Debate about the terrible tragedy at the Study school and how to make children (and their parents) feel confident in walking & cycling to school.
I also urged the Government to publish their long overdue road safety strategy and prioritise active travel.
I spoke at Cycling UK's Reception, marking 10 years of the Big Bike Revival. I’m encouraged by the Government’s investment in active travel infrastructure, but investment in behavioural change and cycling safety is also vital.
Broken Annunciators at Wimbledon Station
I raised the broken annunciators at Wimbledon Station with TfL, as they are not displaying travel information correctly, causing confusion and inconvenience to passengers.
TfL promised they would fix the issue or find a work around, but we are still seeing similar issues. I'll keep pushing for progress on this issue.
