Fears raised over devolved public transport powers

Cathy Reay with the Lib Dems in Liverpool

Disabled delegates at this year's Liberal Democrat Conference have expressed fears that devolving power to local councils will not improve transport accessibility.

Speaking at a fringe discussion on how to improve transport connections across the UK, vice-chair of the Liberal Democrat Disability Association, Susan Dorrington said: "I'm still refused onto trains across Greater Manchester because my scooter is deemed ‘too large’ or ‘the wrong size’; it doesn't fit their spec. I feel singled out. I feel like I'm being forced to make an impossible choice but because I genuinely need the scooter I have, in effect I have no option but to seek alternate, much more complicated methods of getting around."

Ms Dorrington voiced similar concerns at last year's conference, and added that she hoped that looming cuts in services wouldn't stop local transport providers from improving accessibility across their networks.

The fringe event was primarily an opportunity for Norman Baker MP to reinforce the current push to make transport a local rather than national issue and for more responsibility to lie with regional councils.

However, another disabled delegate, who preferred to remain anonymous, worried that localism may not be good for disabled travellers: "In some regions, like Nottingham, it is much easier to get around and transport staff even seem more sympathetic, which helps no end. But in most areas there are still issues for disabled people trying to get around and with looming cuts I wonder if local boroughs will actually use their money to improve accessibility?"

Martin Horwood MP, co-chair of Liberal Democrat transport committee said he was "shocked" to hear of Ms Dorrington's experiences. "I'm appalled that this happens. Giving disabled people the same opportunities to take public transport is a paramount concern and we are making steps to do that, for example in Merseyside we are currently working on implementing audio announcements on buses like we have on trains. This small cost will transform the travelling experience for visually impaired people."

Neil Scales, chief executive of Merseytravel and ex-chair of the Passenger Transport Executive Group said: "In Merseyside we have a much better transport system than we had even one year ago, but I know there are still issues with wheelchairs and mobility scooters being allowed onto trains and buses. We are hoping to continue to improve the situation for disabled travellers."