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Hazelmere

Design of Aylesbury's new transport hub 'could see someone killed'

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Published Date:
26 May 2009
A blind man is warning that someone could be killed as a result of the 'inconsiderate' design of Aylesbury's new transport hub.
Tony Hawkins says a number of issues with the design of the multi-million pound project – particularly the council's decision to do-away with pavements – means it is also in breach of the Disability
Discrimination Act.

Bucks County Council's strategic transport services manager Anne James has defended the design, denied it breaches the Disability Discrimination Act and insisted specific adjustments were made to the hub design in line with suggestions put forward by Mr Hawkins during the consultation process.

But Mr Hawkins, 68, feels his input has been largely ignored and highlights the levelling-off of pavements, integration of pedestrians and cyclists and confusion for motorists within the town's shared facilities sections as major hazards for anyone using the hub.

BCC's Anne James is confident the hub has been, and continues to be, carefully designed to cater for people of all disabilities.

The council also insisted it welcomes Mr Hawkins input, saying: "We are always happy to work with representatives of disabled groups and welcome the valuable suggestions they offer."

For more on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Bucks Herald

Do you agree with Mr Hawkins?

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  • Last Updated: 26 May 2009 12:08 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Aylesbury
 
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Neil Hoskins,

26/05/2009 14:48:46
Yes, I agree with him entirely. I haven't had a look on foot yet but have driven along Friarage Road a few times. The main pedestrian route seems to have been changed from the underpass to a pelican crossing over Friarage Road, where, historically, speed limits have been completely ignored and no attempt ever made to enforce them. How this counts as "progress" I fail to understand. The designers have apparently completely lost the plot.
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nbw,

26/05/2009 15:39:50
The new transport hub is little more than that nasty old tunnel leading to the bus station tarted up.

Still we're getting a nice new theatre, even if it is costing millions more than expected.

And AVDC want to spend millions on a nice new council chamber, (well certain elements of AVDC that is).

The lack of distiction between pedestrian and vehicle areas is dangerous.

Tony Hawkins is completley right, it is an incredibly thoughtless design for blind or partially sighted people.

Another White Elephant.

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Jocelyn Chappell,

Aylesbury 26/05/2009 23:50:34
While I don't agree with all the points made by Neil and nbw, for example I like the design and it is good to see some investment in the town centre, I have to say I have walked the bridge several times and the balance of evidence would seem to weigh against BCC's strategic transport services in this case.

Did no-one in the whole of the consultation process suggest that a kerb, barriers and 'stop and dismount' signs would be a good idea to calm and/or divert pedestrian and cycle traffic before it causes an accident on the main road...?

The concern is not just for blind and partially sighted, but also for young people running or cycling ahead of their parents, and others.... I teach and I suspect there would be more that one local school placing this pedestrian crossing at the top of its Health and Safety Risk List.

The old pedestrian bridge had zig-zag barriers to calm traffic on it. The new bridge has precious little by comparison to stop those least able to help themselves from running straight onto a busy road. This would be a sad and perhaps very costly comparison to be drawing after an accident!!
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