Transport Action Groups to launch
Transport for All
Two new groups launch this month to take...
Two new groups launch this month to take action on inaccessible transport.
Older and disabled people in both Newham and Redbridge will be meeting in their boroughs to campaign for reliable and accessible transport in their areas.
The first Redbridge meeting will take place at Ilford Central Library on Tuesday 30th November, 2 – 4 pm. The Newham meeting will take place on 24th November 1 – 3 in the Beckton Community Centre. Light refreshments will be provided.
Members will campaign for a better transport system in the borough for all passengers. Current problems in Redbridge and Newham include a lack of sufficient space on buses for pushchairs and luggage; bus drivers not pulling near enough in to the kerb, and a lack of drop-off and pick-up points and blue badge parking in town centres.
Older and disabled people frequently face barriers to travelling in London. Common complaints include:
- Inaccessible bus stops or buses where the ramp doesn’t work
- Buses which don’t stop to pick up wheelchairs or rude drivers
- Dial-A-Ride and Taxicard vehicles which arrive late or not at all
- Taxi companies which refuse to take disabled passengers
- Proper enforcement of Blue Badge parking
Redbridge has previously come under fire from transport campaigners for its accessible transport provision. Only two tube stations in the borough are stepfree (Woodford and Roding Valley). At Newbury Park station, work to install a lift was halted before completion, despite the fact that £4.6 million had already been spent towards making the station step free.
And a survey by London Travel Watch earlier this year found that less than half of Newham bus stops complied with legislation on accessibility to disabled people.
Max Reid, an Ilford resident who has campaigned for many years for more accessible buses in the borough, said:
“I’ve been travelling on London buses in my wheelchair for about twelve years, and I’ve had to write to Transport for London (TfL) on numerous occasions about the various problems that I and other disabled people face every day.”
“By coming together to campaign with a collective voice we will stand a better chance of improvements to buses, door-to-door services and other transport in the area.”
Lianna Etkind, Campaigns Officer at Transport for All, said:
“The meeting should be a good opportunity to meet other local disabled and older transport users in a relaxed and informal setting, and improve the transport system for everyone. Disabled and older campaigners have made huge strides in opening up London’s transport network. These transport action groups will be able to show councillors, MPs and Transport for London that we have an equal right to travel – and have fun doing it.”
