The Department for Transport (DfT) is set to publish an Accessibility Action Plan this summer in response to its consultation last year.
Concerns around shared space, staffing levels in rail and staff awareness and a lack of enforcement when it comes to taxis keeping to statutory requirements are all key themes that have emerged from the consultation, Transport Network understands.
The DfT is currently developing the Inclusive Transport Strategy, which will be the Government’s formal response to the consultation, and will set out Government’s ambition as well as short, medium and long-term actions.
Briefing documents seen by Transport Network reveal key themes from the consultation include:
- Shared space and concerns about poorly designed environments
- Lack awareness of rights and the expectations passenger should have of transport operators
- A call for stronger enforcement of statutory requirements e.g. taxis/ private hire vehicles
- The need to influence the behaviours of other passengers, for instance when it comes to buggy users and wheelchair users competing for space on buses
- The importance of staff training and awareness of needs of disabled people including those with hideen disabilities
- More accessible information would increase confidence to travel
- Staffing levels at rail stations and on trains and the impact this has on confidence to travel spontaneously
- Provision for physical accessibility requirements on aircraft, i.e.the need for wheelchair spaces on aircraft and accessible toilets
- Tactile paving and kerbside design – importance of consistency in design across local authorities for those with visual impairments
The Government has been promising for several years to update its out of date Inclusive mobility guidance on accessibility.
Transport Network can also reveal that a research project is underway to answer key questions around inclusive mobility and a review of tactile paving - including the extent of the changes needed to official guidance,whether the two documents should be combined and how to ensure a more consistent approach.
The DfT is keen to offer clear, readily understood recommendations for local authorities.
The project is due to be concluded this summer as well, and the results published. The department will then consider the extent of any changes needed.
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