Why integrated transport must work for all
Louise de Peyrecave
As the lead for the disability staff network at global consultant Atkins, Louise de Peyrecave stresses the importance of inclusivity in relation to integrated transport and says accessible transport is both possible and probable — and the goal we all need to strive for
I was a delegate at Interchange 2023 in Birmingham recently. The event sought to bring together transport professionals from road, rail, aviation and maritime in pursuing the goal of creating an integrated transport network that works for users, improves places and supports Net Zero transport. Throughout the two-day conference, themes covered data, decarbonisation and the skills shortage, all key factors in ensuring that the transport systems in the UK and further afield work for modern-day society.
A topic which was less explicit throughout, however, was the focus on transport for all. Whilst alluded to by some, in terms of the need to create a transport system which is sustainable economically, environmentally and socially, many of the discussions concentrated on the safety of women and the economic viability of a network for those from lower-income families.
Why Accessibility is important
As the lead for the disability staff network at Atkins, a topic I am particularly focussed on is accessibility for the disabled community. Whilst we have made improvements to more recent transport systems, the aspirational solution of a fully integrated, fully accessible transport network is not yet realised. And there are many understandable challenges we will need to overcome to get there.
First off, disability does not just relate to wheelchair users. Accessible design for all does not just mean ensuring step-free access. According to the 2021 census, there were 9.8m people with a disability in the UK, representing 17.8% of the total population. Whilst rightfully, a very important element of accessible transport, wheelchair users account for less than 8% of the disabled population. Therefore, we need to make sure, when looking at integrated transport, that our systems work for all members of the disabled community, not just assume that what works for wheelchair users will work for all.
While we have made improvements, the aspirational solution of a fully integrated, fully accessible transport network is not yet realised
Second, the challenge of an ageing infrastructure network and multiple timetables and operators across road, rail and air means our approach to ensuring inclusivity is a huge hurdle with many complexities and considerations. This is further compounded by our regional disparities, meaning that wherever you go across the UK, the challenges differ. The census data confirms this, as the rates of disability vary considerably across the country, with places like Blackpool where nearly 25% of the population declared a disability compared to the City of London, where the disability rate is less than 12%.
Why one solution doesn’t fit all
We already know that the interconnectivity of rural areas is limited, even without considering accessibility. However, in central London, the connectivity element isn’t so much of an issue, but implementing new lifts and providing more accessible options is significantly challenging given the congested nature of our cities.
Ultimately, this means we can’t just apply a one size fits all approach. What’s needed to improve accessibility on buses will be different to trains. What’s needed for trains may not apply to a tram or underground network. But perhaps most importantly, I don’t believe as a country, we truly understand what our baseline to enable accessible transport should be. Only once we’ve agreed on what we need to do can we then provide appropriate and affordable solutions to reach the goal of creating a genuinely accessible, integrated transport system.
But the good news is we are taking significant steps towards improvement. In 2022, the DfT appointed Atkins to deliver a programme surveying all 2,500+ GB railway stations. The Stations Accessibility Audit will help baseline stations concerning their current accessibility. On publication of the final report in the summer of 2023 it will enable the DfT to commence work on an accessibility improvement project and potentially use the data as a basis for furnishing the travelling public with reliable accessibility information and help improve the passenger experience.
As a country I don’t believe we truly understand what our baseline to enable accessible transport should be
Accessibility in action and the importance of inclusion
Atkins is also leading the way by bringing together a forum of disability staff networks across the industry, so we can share learning, not only concerning the need for accessible design but also around disability inclusion.
Ultimately, to tackle the skills shortage and support accessible design that enables an integrated transport network, we need colleagues in the industry to work collaboratively to ensure our organisations offer support to, and opportunities for, disabled people to thrive at work.
Founded in 2022, the group meets bi-monthly to showcase ideas and share information on successes and failures to help all organisations level the playing field for disability inclusion. Addressing our policies and practices to attract more disabled individuals into the industry and listening to their lived and professional experiences will enable us to deliver a world-class approach to accessible projects. It will also help us create a built environment which works for everyone.
Integrated transport may be just around the corner, but conferences like Interchange give us the opportunity to collaborate further and focus our collective talent, expertise and hard work to create a transport system which genuinely works for all.
We have a significant amount of work to do, but with the data that we now have available to use, ever-advancing technology and an industry which seems determined to accelerate the pace of change, I honestly believe integrated accessible transport is possible, probable and the goal we all need to strive for.
Louise De Peyrecave is Atkins’ Infrastructure market lead for Local Transport and leads the company’s ENABLE network which supports disabled employees.