BWA has commented on the Department for Transport’s Accessibility Action Plan consultation.
We advocated the use of continuous or raised paving at all junctions where minor or side roads meet a main road, making pavements easier to navigate especially for those using wheeled assistance.
We cautioned against the excessive use of shared pavements and paths between pedestrians and cyclists, a design that is not ‘inclusive’.
On pavement parking, we called on the DfT to give local authorities similar powers to those in London, where pavement parking is banned unless specifically permitted. The DfT are instead investigating how to make it easier for local authorities to use Traffic Regulation Orders. BWA argued that the London approach, where the default is that footway parking is not allowed, sends the right message about what society regards as the norm for acceptable behaviour.
We drew the DFT’s attention to the effect of council budget cuts on the the Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act 2010 Act. Bristol City Council has a consultation framework for seeking the views of disabled groups – the Bristol Physical Access Chain, but in the last few months no work or guidance has been sought.
The full response is here.