Greater Manchester’s Bee Network Committee has appointed its first ever Disability Advocate as part of its commitment to delivering an inclusive and accessible public transport and active travel network.
Cllr Tracey Rawlins has taken up the role to advocate for the needs and experiences of disabled people, ensuring they are represented on the committee, which is responsible for taking key decisions on transport and active travel in the city region.
It comes after Greater Manchester signed up to the national Accessible Transport Charter, which includes a commitment to the appointment of an advocate role to key decision-making bodies.
As well as reflecting the principles of the Accessible Transport Charter, the role was developed in collaboration with Breakthrough UK – which manages TfGM’s Disability Design Reference Group (DDRG) – and the Greater Manchester Disabled People’s Panel.
It also resonates with the wider Greater Manchester ambition to ensure everyone in the city region has equal access to education, training and job opportunities.
Councillor Tracey Rawlins, the Bee Network Committee’s new Disability Advocate and 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 Grey-Thompson, in response to the challenges disabled people face with the UK’s transport system, and aims to:
Give disabled people a stronger voice in the governance and delivery of transport services to ensure transport delivers for everyone.
Eliminate barriers to travel by vehicle, on foot or by wheel.
Protect key services such as community transport services that many rely on to travel to schools, workplaces and shops, entertainment and other amenities.
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 Tanni Grey-Thompson, Chair of the Accessible Transport Policy Commission, 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 Councillor 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, including:
Engaging with charities and passenger groups across the city region as part of the Bee Network’s commitment to ensuring services are accessible to everyone. Henshaws, a regional charity that supports people living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities, and other groups advised on the design of the new Bee Network buses.
Bee Network zero emission buses have enhanced accessibility features, including two wheelchair bays and audio-visual announcements.
Bee Network trams and trams stops are fully accessible for wheelchair users.
TfGM 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 functionality are added to the app and developed for the future.
Reviewing all railway stations across the city-region 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 currently in construction, and the others in various stages of design.
The physical accessibility of the network is underpinned by consistently prioritising accessibility and inclusion.
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