Disability campaigners want legislation reviewed

LOCHABER disability campaigners say they are prepared to meet politicians ‘anytime, anywhere’ to try to get legislation reviewed to help those with mobility problems.

Last week, the Lochaber Times highlighted the case of one such person, wheelchair-user Iona Grant from Glencoe, who has had to cope for a decade with transport problems using local buses. Ms Grant, aged 21, a student who attends college in Fort William three days a week, detailed how repeated breakdowns of disability access ramps on Stagecoach and Citylink vehicles were blighting her quality of life.

Arthur Cowie, chairman of Lochaber Disability Access Panel, said technical problems with buses and coaches were not new. He said: ‘What is needed is for the legislation governing such vehicles to be reviewed. To do that, we need politicians to get round the table with people like us and those who use these services and discuss these issues properly. The legislation governing accessibility on public transport needs to be looked at across the board and we are always willing to meet with MPs and MSPs, anywhere, anytime.

‘At the moment, when it comes to talking about legislation, we have to deal with civil servants and all we get is rhetoric. We need our national politicians to get involved.’

Lochaber MSP Kate Forbes said she had been really struck by Ms Grant’s story and agreed politicians need to do more. She said: ‘I have a family member with a disability and I know the massive difference it makes to him. I am always happy to meet with people to discuss how we change this.’

Highlands MSP Donald Cameron said unreliable disabled access to buses was a problem that happens all too often across Scotland and it was high time bus companies took action. He added: ‘While there may be rare instances where a technical fault occurs, it is inexcusable that bus firms do not have alternative measures in place to ensure customers with a disability can safely embark and disembark from a bus without worry or embarrassment. Bus companies need to do all they can to ensure customers like Iona have an enjoyable experience on their service and the Scottish Government must intervene where operators are failing to meet these basic requirements.’