Drive to do more for disabled on our roads

publication date: Jun 12, 2008

With more and more services available to help people before and during their journeys along motorways and major A roads in England, the Highways Agency wants to make sure it is improving the advice and experience for all road users on its network.

That is why the Agency will be at the national Mobility Show at Stoneleigh Park, near Coventry from 12-14 June; attended by 20,000 visitors, many of whom have a disability, or are carers or from an organisation that supports people with disabilities.

Nicky Ensert, Highways Agency Diversity Manager, said, "It's important that we engage with our customers and understand the different needs of different groups.

"We are already taking forward actions from our disability equality action plan. For example, in 2007 we ran an event in partnership with the Disabled People's Network - Solihull. This helped us better understand the issues disabled customers face when they break down on the motorways. The feedback from the event went towards reshaping the guidance for the 1,500 Traffic Officers who monitor and patrol our network."

Martin Wright, Chief Officer of Disabled People's Network - Solihull, added, "The event held last year enabled disabled road users to talk about the issues that are important to them and their safety. We welcomed this serious action by the Highways Agency to Ask, Listen and Involve disabled people in finding solutions to their needs."