6 days Ago
Greater Manchester's Bee Network Committee has announced the appointment of its first-ever disability advocate. Cllr Tracey Rawlins will represent the needs and experiences of disabled people on the committee, which is responsible for key transport and active travel decisions in the city region. The appointment is part of Greater Manchester's commitment to the National Accessible Transport Charter.
Ms Rawlins, who is also the executive member for environment and transport at Manchester City Council, said: "Looking back over the past decades, it is easier than ever for someone to get from point A to point B. "However, in our increasingly mobile society, it is vital that people living with disabilities are not left behind. "Whether that is ensuring that public transport is accessible for everyone, to making cycle lanes easier to get to and travel on, we owe it to ourselves not to exclude people when we develop our transport plans for the future.
"I am proud to be taking up this role and to use my position and influence to improve the lives of disabled people throughout Greater Manchester." The Accessible Transport Charter was launched by the cross-party Accessible Transport Policy Commission, chaired by Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, in response to the challenges disabled people face with the UK’s transport system. It aims to give disabled people a stronger voice in the governance and delivery of transport services, eliminate barriers to travel, and protect key services such as community transport.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is also chair of the Bee Network Committee, said: "I warmly welcome Cllr Rawlins’ appointment as the Bee Network Committee’s Disability Advocate. "This is a key appointment and one that underlines our commitment to accessibility in Greater Manchester. "Accessibility is at the heart of the Bee Network and one of six ‘customer commitments’ that should inform every decision we make as we strive to improve public transport and active travel in Greater Manchester.
" Baroness Grey-Thompson said: "As chair of the Accessible Transport Policy Commission, I am delighted that the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have taken an important step in implementing our Accessible Transport Charter. "I would like to congratulate Cllr Rawlins on her appointment as the Disability Advocate for the Bee Network and thank Mayor Burnham for his commitment to making transport accessible for all. "The voices of disabled people are too often marginalised in transport decision making, leading to our marginalisation on the transport system itself – with many struggling to use services and infrastructure that was designed with disabled people and accessibility as an afterthought.
"By putting disabled people’s perspectives at the heart of the Bee Network's governance, Mayor Burnham and Councillor Rawlins are striking at the roots of inequality in our transport system. "This will make Greater Manchester a far better and more accessible place for disabled people to live and thrive. "I call on other local and regional authorities across the UK to follow Greater Manchester's example.
" Greater Manchester is 'working hard' to make using public transport, walking, wheeling or cycling more inclusive and accessible. This includes working with charities and passenger groups across the city region, ensuring Bee Network zero-emission buses have enhanced accessibility features, and making Bee Network trams and tram stops fully accessible for wheelchair users. Transport for Greater Manchester has also worked with people and groups with different disabilities and accessibility requirements to help develop the Bee Network app.
This work continues as new features and functions are added to the app and developed for the future. All railway stations across the city-region are being reviewed to identify those most in need of step-free access. Funding has been secured to make 10 priority stations step-free, two of which – Daisy Hill and Irlam are under construction.
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