Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, has welcomed Government plans to make transport fully accessible for people with disabilities.

Following conversations with residents who have detailed their struggles in using public transport such as buses, trains and even planes, due to access issues, the GP-turned-MP raised the issue in the House of Commons.

This follows news earlier this year that the Government has also committed, through the Inclusive Transport Strategy, to investing £2 million towards ensuring audio visual equipment is installed on buses. for those with sight or hearing loss.

The Government’s Inclusive Transport Strategy aims to create a transport system that offers equal access for disabled passengers by 2030, with assistance in instances where physical infrastructure remains a barrier.

Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, asked “Recently, residents of Hinckley and Bosworth raised with me their experiences as disabled travellers.

“I know the Government are concentrating on the inclusive transport strategy, but can they update me on what that will look like tangibly when it comes to public transport — flights, buses and so on — for the likes of my constituents?”

Mental Health Minister, Maria Caulfield MP, responded “I thank the Member for Bosworth for campaigning on this issue. Having inclusive transport is important. He is right that the inclusive transport strategy is integral to our ambition to make transport fully accessible by 2030.

“My colleagues in the Department for Transport are committed to delivering that strategy to make real practical differences from accessible platforms through to accessible buses. We will be able to update him shortly with more progress.”

Commenting after the exchange, Dr Evans added “Living in a rural area such as Bosworth, many people rely on public transport such as trains and buses to help them travel to and from work, to family and friends, and important appointments.

“However, for people who are living with disabilities, accessing public transport can be a daily challenge due to issues surrounding access from platforms or roadsides, audio and visual alerts when using or waiting for public transport.

“Earlier this year I was pleased to update some residents with news that the Government plans to require the provision of audible and visible information on local bus and coach services across Great Britain – which will be a great help to people with vision and audio impairments.”

You can see Luke raise this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryZCqwjhdC4