Accessible transport raised in Parliament
Transport for All
MP Lisa Nandy tabled a debate on accessible...
MP Lisa Nandy tabled a debate on accessible transport on October 12th.
The Labour MP for Wigan organised the debate after meeting with disabled constituents and hearing of their problems using the transport network.
It is not often accessible transport is discussed in any detail at the Palace of Westminster, so Transport for All mobilised for the event. We turned out in such numbers that there was not enough space for us all!
Debates in Westminster Hall do not include a vote, or carry legislative force, like those in the House of Commons. However, the debate on accessible transport provided an opportunity to highlight the shortcomings of transport for disabled and older people, and to discuss what needs to be done to remedy the situation.
You can read the transcript of the debate on Hansard transcript.
Transport for All would like the Government to:
- Reject proposals in the McNulty Review to cut staff at train stations, who provide essential assistance to disabled and older passengers
- Change the law to ensure that all buses and coaches are equipped with the audio-visual equipment that makes them accessible to blind and deaf people.
- Increase funding for stepfree programme as way of kickstarting economy. At present, almost half of disabled people say their choice of job is restriced due to inaccessible transport and nearly a quarter have had to turn doen a job because of transport.
- Protect bus routes which are so essential to avoid isolation and maintain activity and independence, especially for older people
Transport for All is encouraging disabled and older people to write to their MP to raise these issues. You might like to let them know of any problems you have with inaccessible transport, and ask them to raise this with the Secretary of State for Transport. To find out who your MP is and contact them, visit www.writetothem.org.uk and enter your postcode.
