5 April 2005
ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORT STRATEGY LAUNCHED
The Department for Regional Development (DRD) today published an Accessible Transport Strategy that aims to improve access to the transport system for older people and people with disabilities.
Older people and people with disabilities make up a significant proportion of the Northern Ireland population and they can face a number of barriers when trying to make full use of the transport system. Transport accessibility is about providing transport services, infrastructure and information that provides for equitable access.
The prospects for an accessible transport future have been greatly enhanced through the introduction of accessibility regulations, which were brought about by the Disability Discrimination Act. New buses and trains must now meet standards that are designed to ensure that people with disabilities can get on and off vehicles in safety and without unreasonable difficulty and, in the case of wheelchair users, to do so whilst remaining in their wheelchairs.
Other factors influencing accessibility include operating procedures, training, driving skills and passenger assistance and information.
John Spellar, Minister for Regional Development, said: "As its name suggests, the Accessible Transport Strategy sets out in one place the strategy for the development of an accessible transport future in Northern Ireland. This Strategy, along with the new, accessible buses and trains that are coming into service, demonstrates the commitment of the Department for Regional Development to making transport accessible for all."
The Minister said: "This Strategy is the result of a collaborative approach to policy making. My Department has consulted extensively with older people, people with disabilities and their representative organisations at every stage of the process to ensure that their views have been heard and incorporated into this Strategy."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- The Accessible Transport Strategy stems from the Regional Transportation Strategy and has been developed in the context of the Priorities and Budget 2005 – 2008. It has been prepared against the background of the wider transportation policy in Great Britain and the European Union.
- In October 2005 DRD published a draft Accessible Transport Strategy and associated Equality Impact Assessment for public consultation. Both publications can be obtained on DRD’s web site www.drdni.gov.uk/ats or by contacting the project team by email atsinfo@drdni.gov.uk or by telephone 028 9054 0186.
- DRD have received considerable positive comment on the high standard of public consultation, indeed Disability Action have stated that they believe the consultation process on the ATS to be an example of best practice in consulting affected groups.
Achieving an accessible transport system will depend among other things on the availability of public funds to implement particular initiatives and maintain existing commitments. The level of public expenditure for the Strategy will be determined through the normal budgetary process, which will take account of the financial needs of other Departments and decisions on priorities.
For media queries contact Paddy Cullen or Emma Flynn Davies at the DRD Press Office on (028) 9054 0007/0372.
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