Paralympic medallist calls for greater disabled access on public transport

Date: 28/2/2013

Public transport may have improved in terms of its accessibility to disabled passengers, but Paralympic gold medallist Hannah Cockroft says there is still a long way to go in perfecting the system.

Speaking to Channel 4 in regards to the Olympic legacy, the athlete highlighted a number of problems that still exist with the public transport network, including being asked to book train journeys in advance.

"My response to that is always 'did you book to walk on the train?'," she said.

"This wheelchair is my way of walking. I shouldn't have to book a ramp to get on a train ... it's something that needs sorting so hopefully someone will listen and someone will help us."

"Even if you do book it's no guarantee someone will turn up so it makes no difference really."

Hannah's comments follow a letter sent by London Assembly Transport Committee Chairman Caroline Pidgeon to the Brazilian Ambassador to Britain, offering advice on how to ensure Rio's transport infrastructure is prepared for the 2016 Games.

Posted by Sarah Bailey

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