Transport vision 'ignored' physically disabled
Mar 24 2009 by Patrice John, Birmingham Post
A transport vision for the West Midlands that aims to cut congestion, reduce car use and ease over-crowding of rail services has been branded as ‘shameful’ for ignoring the needs of the physically disabled.
The West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority Centro is considering a document which details how the region might cope with increased demand for bus, rail and tram.
The Integrated Public Transport Prospectus draws together much of Centro’s work on the Rail Development Plan and plans for the Midland Metro but also suggests operating longer trains, lengthening train platforms, improving the quality of bus services, and expanding Ring and Ride and Park and Ride facilities. But when a draft version of the 77-page document was presented to Centro’s Transport Strategy Committee it came under fire for ignoring disabled people and those with specialist transport needs.
Wolverhampton councillor Judith Rowley (Lab, Blakenhall) said: “The officer who wrote this needs to go back and look at it again as it is shameful that there is an omission on the needs of people with special needs. There is very little mention of disabled people’s transport needs. Disabled people who use the network need their transport to be integrated, so surely the needs of that sector of the community has to be considered at this planning stage?”
The Transport Strategy Committee are responsible for setting the policies and strategies of Centro and allocating funding to deliver projects.
Centro’s Transport Policy and Strategy Manager Jake Thrush presented the draft report to the Committee for them to comment on. They have until April 1 to make their views known before it is resubmitted to the Integrated Transport Authority on April 20. Chair of Centro and Walsall Coun Gary Clarke (Con, Streetly) agreed with Coun Rowley’s comments and said: “We take your point on board. Special needs provision is a priority for us and we will make sure that the officers look at this issue.”
Vice Chair of the committee Birmingham Coun Len Clark (Con, Quinton) said the best way to add the comments would be in the executive summary of the finalised document as a policy statement.
