‘disabled people must have a say in how the service is designed’ – Mark Lazarowicz MP
Mark Lazarowicz MP has responded enthusiastically to a report by the Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance (SATA) on the way ahead to make transport more accessible for disabled people.
The Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance (SATA’s) Accessible Transport Strategy and Action Plan for Scotland is the first and most comprehensive such strategy and plan for Scotland. It covers the period 2015 to 2020 and includes all transport modes and services, the transport environment, information provision and staff training. It addresses the need to consult and involve disabled people at all levels and all stages in reviewing what is lacking and what should be done (see link to full document, below).
It’s an issue the North and Leith MP has campaigned actively on, and he said: “I warmly welcome this report which aims to make transport accessible for everyone: accessible transport must be at the heart of any new public transport development and disabled people must have a real say in how it is designed.
“Accessible transport benefits everyone: tackling problem parking which forces people out into the street to get by, audio-visual announcements on buses, access at Waverley station are all issues I have campaigned on which especially affect disabled people, but not just them.
“Making transport more accessible for disabled people is a key way to enable them to lead more independent lives but it can improve everyone else’s quality of life too.”
Mark Lazarowicz campaigned strongly against the current UK Government’s decision to axe its own advisory body on accessible transport and it was forced into a u-turn.
Last summer he introduced a Bill to devolve the power to tackle irresponsible parking, working closely with the voluntary organisations, Guide Dogs and Living Streets. It forced the Government to consult with all the interested parties and make a commitment to make the change by Executive Order.
He has also highlighted that more work needs to be done to make Waverley station properly accessible for disabled people after its closure to vehicles but there is also a problem for pedestrians and cyclists as well who have to share the pedestrian footway from Waverley Bridge.
Accessible Transport Strategy Action Plan Scotland
Five broad principles are adopted in SATA’s strategy:
- Working in partnership with public, private, community and statutory transport providers to improve transport services, making them easier to use and understand so that people’s confidence about using them is increased;
- Being proactive in our efforts to identify and remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities accessing the transport system and to ensure that further barriers are not created;
- Implementing best practice by making sure that we keep up-to-date with best practice and reflect this when developing policies and implementation plans;
- Good consultation, working openly and in partnership with people who provide transport services and facilities and those who use them. Strive to maintain good communication with people with disabilities to listen to their views and exchange information;
- Value for money in targeting available resources towards initiatives that are affordable, sustainable and that maximise the benefits for people with disabilities.
The Plan sets out seven strategic objectives:
- Ensure that disabled people have an effective say in the planning, design and operation of transport services, facilities and operations.
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Ensure that the Equality Act requirements are met and affordable adjustments are made so that accessibility for disabled people is a condition of public money being spent on all new public transport investment;
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Develop an integrated and fully accessible public transport system in partnership with key stakeholders which will enable disabled people to travel in safety and in comfort and be able to move easily between modes;
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Enable disabled people to travel using cars and other means of private transport;
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Address a lack of awareness and understanding that prevents or discourages disabled people from using transport services and facilities that are available to them;
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Ensure that information in a range of formats is available for all public transport services to enable disabled people to plan and make these journeys easily; and
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Provide help with travel costs and offer practical assistance to enable disabled people to use the transport services available to them.
Consultation on the strategy and plan closed on Friday (16 January).
You can find the North & Leith MP’s formal response here