Mayor praises London’s top accessible attractions
The Mayor of London has praised the London Eye and Tate Gallery after they were voted the capital’s most accessible attractions in a recent survey commissioned in partnership with Direct Enquiries, The Nationwide Access Register.
The accessibility survey was designed to gauge the views and experiences of people with a range of accessibility issues about the capital’s tourist attractions, restaurants, hotels and public transport. Many of the 795 respondents had mobility issues, including wheelchair users, partially sighted people and parents with prams. The results will inform plans to make London more accessible in the run up to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.
The survey is one of a number of initiatives to help take forward the Mayor’s equality action plan ‘Equal Life Chances for All’, which aims to bring a fresh approach to equality and inclusion in London. The framework aims to bring people together rather than divide them and will be used across the Greater London Authority group to implement policies and actions.
Mayor Boris Johnson said: ‘I want to congratulate the London Eye and Tate for being fantastic examples of first class, accessible tourist attractions, that can be thoroughly enjoyed by all. It is imperative that every industry and business in London works towards making their venues as accessible as possible as we prepare for triumphant 2012 Games.
‘A more accessible city is part of my vision to herald a new approach to what is traditionally know as equalities – I want an equal society that recognises people’s different needs, situations and goals, and removes the barriers that limit what people can do and be. I’m confident that my ‘Equal Life Chances For All’ framework will help deliver these results and I’m pleased that hundreds of people have shared their views on accessibility in my survey. There were many comments about the need for more public toilets and I hope initiatives like Open London will make a great difference in addressing this. I will use the results of the survey to work with businesses, transport and the hospitality trade to ensure London is as welcoming to possible to everyone including people with disabilities, older people and parents with young families.“
David Sharpe, Director of London Midway Attractions, Merlin Entertainments Group said: ‘We are delighted that the London Eye has been voted London’s most accessible attraction by such a large margin. Accessibility is at the heart of everything we do at the London Eye and we have always striven for best practice for guests with disabilities of any kind. We have received many written and verbal compliments from guests about our staff and policies but it’s great to have our hard work recognised by this survey. We look forward to welcoming more guests with or without disabilities in the run up to and during the London 2012 Olympics.’
The survey shows that buses are a popular form of transport, which reflects the fact that all 8,000 London buses are now fully accessible. The Mayor has asked Transport For London to do all it can to improve accessibility on the Tube, building on the target of 25 per cent step free stations by 2010. The new trains to be rolled out on the sub-surface lines and on the Victoria line have been designed to improve wheelchair access and a programme to install wide aisle gates – giving easier access – is underway with 140 installed already in place.
The survey results have been released to coincide with the formal launch today of ‘Equal Life Chance for All’ at City Hall by Deputy Mayor Richard Barnes. The Mayor invited comment and engagement from all sections of London life during a three-month consultation on the Framework. An overwhelming majority of respondents were in favour of the new approach.
Deputy Mayor Richard Barnes said: ‘We want to see a new approach to equality and inclusion in London, one that brings Londoners together rather than divides them. The response has been very encouraging and I hope this equalities framework will bring real change to the way policies are implemented and mainstreamed throughout business organisations. A gold standard for London and all Londoners.’
To view ‘Equal Life Chance For All’ and the Accessibility survey visit www.london.gov.uk.
Print This Article in Plain Text
|
|
Latest Headlines
- Osama Bin Laden Dead?
- Florida To Share $1 Billion For Gulf Coast Restoration Efforts
- Texas Prays For Rain During Extreme Drought Conditions
- Governor Christie Takes Action To Reduce Diesel Emissions, Improve Air Quality
- Governor McDonnell Outlines Draft Transportation Improvement Program
- Alaska Energy Bill Passes Legislature
- Illinois State Building Receives ENERGY STAR Award
- Homeland Security Begins Using National Terrorism Advisory System
- U.S. Outlines New Health Insurance Options For Graduating College Students
- Electrolux Expands In North Carolina, To Create 200 Jobs In Charlotte
- Virginia Storm Victims To Receive Tax Extension
- U.S. Expands Broadband Investment For Rural Areas To Accelerate Job Creation
- U.S. To Invest $130 Million For Advanced Energy Research
- Michigan Passes “I’m Sorry” Bill
- Kentucky Sells Two State Aircraft To Save Taxpayer Dollars
