Accessibility transport event held in Romford YMCA

Caroline Pidgeon, left, with Michael Lloyd and Julie Lopez.

TfL and other transport providers have attended an event in Romford looking at accessibility to public transport across Greater London.

It was held at the YMCA in Rush Green Road on Friday and gave people with disabilities the opportunity to give feedback and hear about the services already on offer.

The event was arranged by Michael Lloyd, from Havering.

He said: “It could be the same for a mum with a buggy; if you’ve got a set of stairs, it’s a barrier for all of us.

“TfL kindly funded this fantastic event and without their financial support and assistance, we wouldn’t have this wonderful event which is changing people’s lives.”

Transport accessibility event on all day @ymca Romford organised by my constituent, Michael, with info stalls for ppl with mobility issues wanting to get around London. Includes lanyard scheme for those with hidden disabilities like dementia to receive extra help at airports. pic.twitter.com/75Y3s9iyco

— Julia Lopez MP (@JuliaLopezMP) June 21, 2019

Really good morning talking to local residents in Havering about accessible transport and to hear from different operators about their improvements in this area. Great to support Michael Lloyd who organised the event. pic.twitter.com/LEb12sBPMw

— Caroline Pidgeon ? (@CarolinePidgeon) June 21, 2019

Caroline Pidgeon, deputy chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee, said: “It’s not just older people, it can be a moment in your life you’ve broken your leg and your trying to get around on crutches so we need to make sure we make those improvements. Yes, lifts at stations and step-free access (are great) but some of those smaller improvements can make such a difference.

“Sometimes you may not have an obvious visual disability but you might need the ramp pulled out for a reason on a bus and when they’ve asked some bus drives they’ve refused, so actually bus drivers being told, if someone asks, they should put the ramp out.”

Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez also attended and said she was impressed to hear about a scheme at London City Airport which highlights people with so-called “hidden” disabilities so that staff know they may require assistance.