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Annual Report 19971. The CommitteeMembers are appointed by the Secretary of State on a personal basis. However, in order to inform readers about the broad range of expertise which the members bring to the Committee, the list below includes their main affiliations. Chairman Members Observers Secretariat 2. Chairman's IntroductionOnce again, it has been a busy and challenging year for those dealing with transport and disability. Since the change of Government in May there has been a clear change in emphasis in transport policy and I have been encouraged by the commitment and understanding of the new Ministerial team at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR). The creation of the new Department also brings welcome opportunities to take a more co-ordinated approach to the all important links between transport and land use planning and the built environment.Consultation has now begun on the Government's proposals for transport under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). The consultation for taxis closed on 30 November 1997 and DPTAC responded. The relevant working groups have also been discussing draft proposals on rail and buses and coaches with DETR. Bus proposals were issued for consultation before Christmas and we hope to see the consultation on rail in the near future. It is pleasing that DPTAC has continued, in recognition of the expertise of the Committee's members, to have a key role in formulating the regulations under the Act. Since the General Election the Committee has also responded to several other consultations. Among the most important is the Government's proposals for an integrated transport policy. We have responded formally to the consultation but we expect to work closely with the Department as the proposals are firmed up in the coming months. The Committee will continue to work to ensure both that new transport policies do not have an adverse effect on mobility of disabled people and that they positively promote the needs of disabled people for independent mobility. The Committee has also continued its activities in other areas and the reports by those who chair the working groups will provide more detail of this work. An ad hoc working group was set up this year to consider "Restrictions on Personal Vehicular Access". This group will be producing a report early in the new year to help ensure that central and local government policies to restrict the use of the private car do not reduce the mobility of those disabled people who will never be able to use public transport, no matter how accessible it becomes. I am grateful to all those who chair the working groups and to all members of the Main Committee and working groups, for their contribution to the work of the Committee. The General Election saw the retirement of Sir John Hannam from both politics and from DPTAC and his contribution to the meeting will be greatly missed. This year also saw the appointment of Jean Dunlop from Scotland to the Committee. There is a great deal of work still to be done before we have a fully accessible transport system in this country. DPTAC will continue to work with DETR, local authorities, disability interests and transport industries to achieve this goal as well as retaining a clear focus on the needs of disabled people for affordable personal mobility and for barrier free access to the pedestrian environment. Robert R Taylor Published 3 June 1998 |
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