This week, Caroline Russell AM questioned the Mayor on how he will safeguard the interests of disabled people in Streetspace schemes with a winter of further physical distancing ahead.

Caroline, who is The Green Party Spokesperson for Transport has been investigating this issue closely. This week, she asked the Mayor if he will ensure that Equality Impact Assessments are, as Transport for All ask – robust, meaningful, and co-produced – and so fully involve local disabled people in checking the impact of schemes on their neighbourhood streets. In response to this the Mayor concedes agreement, stating “that makes perfect sense to me” and would be happy to work together on improving Streetspace schemes..

Carolline comments:
“I’m worried the debate about changing our streets has become polarised, and people are claiming to talk for disabled people without thinking clearly about what helps people get around independently every day.

I have been to visit schemes on the ground and have met recently with Transport for All, Guide Dogs and Wheels for Wellbeing and they have all raised good points about how Streetspace can be more inclusive.

Simple things like smooth pavements and dropped kerbs with tactile paving are crucial for disabled Londoners to get around safely. And new temporary measures can be accompanied with details like a tapping rail to indicate where space is being used for tables and chairs.

Streetspace schemes need improving not removing.”

Problems include a lack of level pavements and the use of temporary ramps and barriers. There are some examples in which Streetspace have provided fully accessible wider pavements (for example in Brixton and Camden) as well as the use of tactile or blister paving – which enables visually impaired people to find a crossing (for example in Park Lane). As Caroline pointed out “it can be done” but challenges the Mayor for answers on why these measures are not used on all Streetspace schemes including the borough ones in order to ensure that all streets in London are accessible to all.