As a disabled person I have had concerns about the proposed plans for the changes at Leeds railway station for some time so I am sharing these via this post although it seems that work is already underway.
Keeping the taxi rank close and easily accessible at Leeds Station is fundamental to Leeds developing an inclusive and accessible city. The plans that have been approved are a retrograde step in relation to all other major and large stations throughout the country. I have a list of 29 where the taxi rank location is either directly outside or very close to the concourse without the need for use of lifts.
A higher % of disabled people rely on taxis than non-disabled. The planned changes will create such a significant change that many will no longer feel or be able to travel as they do now and for them the impact will be absolute and life changing.
Over 1 in 3 people show unconscious bias against disabled people ( including neurodiversities). This is higher than the levels of bias on the basis of gender or race and has the potential to detrimentally affect the productivity, engagement and wellbeing of 1 in 5 people. It appears from my research that there has been no sight yet of the Disability Equality Impact Assessment despite the decision to go ahead having been made. Representatives of the various groups affected by the changes are not being heard, !
I could list many reasons why the planned changes are so wrong but I will focus in on my own experience.
The Design & Access statement diagram 7.2.2 shows the relocation approx. 15 metre from the station entrance for those then able to use the steps or a lift, the only other option being a long walk of 165 metres exiting new Station Street and walking back down Bishopgate Street. Both these routes involve traversing outdoors. Something that I have seen no mention of whatsoever in any of the documentation is the impact weather conditions have on people with mobility issues. As someone partially sighted who walks with sticks (and sometimes a rollator and occasionally uses a wheelchair) I avoid going out completely when it is excessively windy or potentially slippery. I also avoid walking in crowded or busy open spaces where I feel vulnerable to others suddenly walking in front of me or knocking and jostling me as they pass. Having to suddenly react by altering my gait or losing balance is high risk for me and I avoid such spaces. Getting across the new planned open shared space to reach and use lifts (for the general public as well as disabled people) is not something I would want to do alone.
I used to be a regular lone traveller attending Disability Advisory Committee meetings and conferences in Birmingham and the TUC in London. All my travel required was from taxi to train station to taxi to venue and back without needing to walk more than a few steps unaided outdoors. Arriving back at Leeds station it was manageable waiting close by the concourse even when the taxi queues were long at busy times. I felt safe enough, but the prospect of what is now going to be required is daunting. There is no way of knowing what awaits in the relatively small taxi rank facility ,(seating space for 25) assuming that I could safely reach a lift and use it when it gets full. The new rank holds far fewer taxis (6 as opposed to 33) and being nearer to pubs and clubs it could be quite an unsocial area for vulnerable people at busy times away from the security of the station concourse. I am not aware that there have ever been any safety concerns regarding accidents or aggression towards travellers at the existing location.
I also need to use booked assistance when travelling and there seems to have been no thought given to the extra work this will cause to station staff. Lone and vulnerable travellers once deposited at the new rank will be left there to fend for themselves far away from further assistance should it be needed. And how will luggage trolleys be managed, cluttering up an already limited space and needing to be collected and returned when travellers get into their taxis?
Non-disabled planners who produce these fancy drawings likely have no real experience of how their sweeping concourses and wide flights of steps strike fear in the hearts of people like me trying to dodge the fit and healthy who are in a hurry and think nothing of skipping up and down such obstacles often uncaring or oblivious of our limitations.
By the time the various issues I have raised begin to impact it will be too late to rectify. There is potential for multiple claims of discrimination under the Equality Act on grounds of less favourable treatment and failure to make reasonable adjustments.
The council may still have the power to act. Relocation of the much valued taxi rank to Bishopgate is only possible because the council has ‘gifted under license’ that section of road to network Rail for redevelopment. Revoking would prevent relocation.
PhyzzEzee 