Latest news with #TransportforWalesAccessandInclusionPanel
Leader Live
19-07-2025
- Leader Live
Welsh Government's 'Travel for All' plan launched in Wrexham
Travel for All, which sets out a range of principles to improve transport networks, was launched in Wrexham on Friday (July 18). The plan's principles include "ensuring people feel safe and welcome"; "improving accessibility"; "involving users in design decisions"; and "embedding lasting change across all transport modes," in the words of a Welsh Government spokesperson. The launch took place at the Wrexham Gateway Project, where accessibility upgrades are already in progress, including improved tactile paving, accessible doors, changing places facilities, and obstacle-free routes. New standards and guidance, developed with disabled people, are to be issued to transport providers; and customer-facing staff across rail, bus, and other services are to receive regular training on equality issues, including disability awareness. Physical barriers are to be addressed through better lighting, accessible pathways, and improved station facilities. Members of the Transport for Wales Access and Inclusion Panel have been involved in the Wrexham Gateway Project. Amanda Say, a panel member who uses public transport regularly, said: "In terms of accessibility, it can be quite a challenge to plan any journey. "It is getting better. "Travelling by train is probably the easiest, while buses are much more challenging. "If we can link all active travel routes together, that journey - for everybody - is going to get much easier." Lee Robinson, executive director for regional transport and integration at Transport for Wales, said: "We're committed to delivering transport projects that are accessible and inclusive for all, and place people at the centre of design so customers feel safe and welcome when travelling in Wales. "Travel for All will be a key guide to ensuring we're removing travel barriers across our transport network. "The Wrexham Gateway project is a great example of putting the plan's principles into practice from design to delivery, by improving accessibility and customer experience and ensuring that Wrexham General station is an attractive gateway to Wrexham city centre." Cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: "Accessibility and inclusivity aren't optional extras - they are fundamental rights. "Wrexham Gateway shows what can be achieved when we develop transport infrastructure in partnership with disabled people, putting their expertise and lived experience at the heart of design decisions. "Building accessibility into our infrastructure from the beginning not only saves time and money by avoiding retrofits, but ensures it's always at the forefront of everyone's minds." READ MORE: Notice served on caravans on Wrexham playing field Seaside fish and chip shops in North Wales among UK's best Travel for All supports the Welsh Government's broader commitment to disability rights through the current consultation on the ten-year Disabled People's Rights Plan. In the words of a spokesperson for the Welsh Government, that plan "aims to create a Wales where disabled people can live, work, and thrive without facing entrenched barriers." The consultation on the plan closes on August 7, 2025, and seeks input from disabled people and their families across Wales.
South Wales Argus
19-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
New plan to improve confidence for travellers in Wales
Travel for All is designed to improve accessibility and inclusivity in Wales' transport system, with a focus on removing barriers for disabled people and ensuring a more welcoming experience for everyone. Launched at the Wrexham Gateway Project—where accessibility upgrades are already in progress—the plan sets out five key principles. These include making sure people feel safe and welcome, improving physical access, involving users in design, and embedding long-term change across all modes of transport. Cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: "Accessibility and inclusivity aren't optional extras – they are fundamental rights. "Wrexham Gateway shows what can be achieved when we develop transport infrastructure in partnership with disabled people, putting their expertise and lived experience at the heart of design decisions." The scheme is backed by new standards and guidance for transport providers, developed in collaboration with disabled people. It also includes regular equality and disability awareness training for front-line staff across rail, bus, and other services. Physical improvements will address barriers through better lighting, accessible routes, and upgraded station facilities. Amanda Say, a member of the Transport for Wales Access and Inclusion Panel who uses public transport several times a week, said: "In terms of accessibility, it can be quite a challenge to plan any journey. "It is getting better. "Travelling by train is probably the easiest, while buses are much more challenging. "If we can link all active travel routes together, that journey – for everybody – is going to get much easier." At the Wrexham Gateway Project, panel members have already contributed to improvements such as new help points and accessible routes. Lee Robinson, executive director for regional transport and integration at Transport for Wales, said: "We're committed to delivering transport projects that are accessible and inclusive for all, and place people at the centre of design so customers feel safe and welcome when travelling in Wales." Travel for All supports the Welsh Government's wider disability rights agenda, including its 10-year Disabled People's Rights Plan, which is currently open for public consultation until August 7, 2025.
BBC News
21-02-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'New station lifts at Ludlow mean I can finally explore'
A woman who uses an electric wheelchair has said she is excited to be able to explore after lifts were installed at a rail station. Amanda Say attended the opening of Ludlow train station's new lifts and said it meant she could now actually use the station as there had been no step-free access onto one of the Shropshire station, managed by Transport for Wales, now has two lifts either side of the footbridge. The lifts took a year to install, from planning to completion, and cost an estimated £3m, funded by the Department for Transport through their Access for All programme. Ms Say, from Cwmbran in South Wales, is on the Transport for Wales Access and Inclusion Panel, a voluntary board of people with a range of needs who offer advice on how best to improve facilities."I haven't been able to [use Ludlow station] - but now I am able to, Ludlow will be seeing a lot more of me, I'll be able to explore this area which is quite exciting really," she said. Because she was unable to access Ludlow's second platform , Ms Say had to travel to Shrewsbury and back to Ludlow in order to get to the other side of the tracks. "It's really, really good to be able to do a straight-forward journey that other people take for granted," she said. Adrian Carrington, TfW's head of station infrastructure, said Ludlow station is important as it connects southern Shropshire and Wales with towns and cities like Manchester."This station here has 56 [train] services a day, and just under a quarter of a million footfall per year," he said. South Shropshire's Conservative MP Stuart Anderson also attended the opening - and after an operation on his foot was using said he has been using crutches "on and off" for years, but using public transport was "not an easy thing.""I think accessibility is part of people's everyday life - if you don't consider it, you're basically saying 'you cannot travel this way'." Rachel Heath, operations manager for Network Rail Wales and Borders said the organisation has lots of plans to improve accessibility along its Marches line, which runs between Wales and England."We haven't always been able to provide that service for everybody, so this investment is really important," Ms Heath said. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
