Latest news with #DisabledPeople'sRightsPlan
Leader Live
19-07-2025
- Leader Live
Welsh Government's 'Travel for All' plan launched in Wrexham
Travel for All, which sets out a range of principles to improve transport networks, was launched in Wrexham on Friday (July 18). The plan's principles include "ensuring people feel safe and welcome"; "improving accessibility"; "involving users in design decisions"; and "embedding lasting change across all transport modes," in the words of a Welsh Government spokesperson. The launch took place at the Wrexham Gateway Project, where accessibility upgrades are already in progress, including improved tactile paving, accessible doors, changing places facilities, and obstacle-free routes. New standards and guidance, developed with disabled people, are to be issued to transport providers; and customer-facing staff across rail, bus, and other services are to receive regular training on equality issues, including disability awareness. Physical barriers are to be addressed through better lighting, accessible pathways, and improved station facilities. Members of the Transport for Wales Access and Inclusion Panel have been involved in the Wrexham Gateway Project. Amanda Say, a panel member who uses public transport regularly, said: "In terms of accessibility, it can be quite a challenge to plan any journey. "It is getting better. "Travelling by train is probably the easiest, while buses are much more challenging. "If we can link all active travel routes together, that journey - for everybody - is going to get much easier." Lee Robinson, executive director for regional transport and integration at Transport for Wales, said: "We're committed to delivering transport projects that are accessible and inclusive for all, and place people at the centre of design so customers feel safe and welcome when travelling in Wales. "Travel for All will be a key guide to ensuring we're removing travel barriers across our transport network. "The Wrexham Gateway project is a great example of putting the plan's principles into practice from design to delivery, by improving accessibility and customer experience and ensuring that Wrexham General station is an attractive gateway to Wrexham city centre." Cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: "Accessibility and inclusivity aren't optional extras - they are fundamental rights. "Wrexham Gateway shows what can be achieved when we develop transport infrastructure in partnership with disabled people, putting their expertise and lived experience at the heart of design decisions. "Building accessibility into our infrastructure from the beginning not only saves time and money by avoiding retrofits, but ensures it's always at the forefront of everyone's minds." READ MORE: Notice served on caravans on Wrexham playing field Seaside fish and chip shops in North Wales among UK's best Travel for All supports the Welsh Government's broader commitment to disability rights through the current consultation on the ten-year Disabled People's Rights Plan. In the words of a spokesperson for the Welsh Government, that plan "aims to create a Wales where disabled people can live, work, and thrive without facing entrenched barriers." The consultation on the plan closes on August 7, 2025, and seeks input from disabled people and their families across Wales.
South Wales Argus
19-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
New plan to improve confidence for travellers in Wales
Travel for All is designed to improve accessibility and inclusivity in Wales' transport system, with a focus on removing barriers for disabled people and ensuring a more welcoming experience for everyone. Launched at the Wrexham Gateway Project—where accessibility upgrades are already in progress—the plan sets out five key principles. These include making sure people feel safe and welcome, improving physical access, involving users in design, and embedding long-term change across all modes of transport. Cabinet secretary for transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: "Accessibility and inclusivity aren't optional extras – they are fundamental rights. "Wrexham Gateway shows what can be achieved when we develop transport infrastructure in partnership with disabled people, putting their expertise and lived experience at the heart of design decisions." The scheme is backed by new standards and guidance for transport providers, developed in collaboration with disabled people. It also includes regular equality and disability awareness training for front-line staff across rail, bus, and other services. Physical improvements will address barriers through better lighting, accessible routes, and upgraded station facilities. Amanda Say, a member of the Transport for Wales Access and Inclusion Panel who uses public transport several times a week, said: "In terms of accessibility, it can be quite a challenge to plan any journey. "It is getting better. "Travelling by train is probably the easiest, while buses are much more challenging. "If we can link all active travel routes together, that journey – for everybody – is going to get much easier." At the Wrexham Gateway Project, panel members have already contributed to improvements such as new help points and accessible routes. Lee Robinson, executive director for regional transport and integration at Transport for Wales, said: "We're committed to delivering transport projects that are accessible and inclusive for all, and place people at the centre of design so customers feel safe and welcome when travelling in Wales." Travel for All supports the Welsh Government's wider disability rights agenda, including its 10-year Disabled People's Rights Plan, which is currently open for public consultation until August 7, 2025.
Leader Live
11-06-2025
- Health
- Leader Live
North Wales MS shares his time at Wrexham Maelor Hospital
MS for North Wales June 8th marked the 10th anniversary of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board first being placed in special measures. Speaking in the Welsh Conservative Debate calling on the Welsh Government to initiate a Public Inquiry into the Health Board, I referred to my own experience as a patient at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, 'where the staff were brilliant, but the system was clearly breaking', and said 'Llais North Wales, the people's voice in health and social care, told me two weeks ago that the Health Board remains the primary concern reported to them'. As Chair of the Cross-Party Group on Disability I met the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice ahead of her Statement on the Welsh Government's Disabled People's Rights Plan. Responding to the Statement in the Chamber later, I quoted the Chair of the Disability Rights Taskforce's Housing and Community Working Group, who said the draft document was 'a smokescreen' rather than a Plan, and asked how the Welsh Government will ensure that this leads to real change rather than becoming, as he put it, 'a collection of vague intentions dressed up as progress. No targets. No teeth. No real-world accountability'. I asked the Cabinet Secretary for Finance to respond to the concerns of Wales' disability sector that the UK Government's proposed reforms to disability benefits risk further disabling people in Wales by compounding poverty and exclusion. Responding to the Statement on 'Volunteers' Week' by the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, I praised voluntary sector organisations but expressed concern at the 'avalanche' of cuts in the sector following the Welsh Government's failure to protect the funding for the vital services they provide, thereby generating false economies and far higher cost pressures for statutory service providers. I Chaired a meeting of the Senedd Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, which included an evidence session with the Welsh Government on Active Travel in Wales. Other engagements included meeting Ukrainian frontline journalists and Ukrainian war crimes investigators from 'Truth Hounds'; Polish Heritage Days 2025 Celebration; Gylfinir Cymru/Curlew Wales meeting, as Wales Species Champion for the Curlew; and 'Transforming Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Diagnosis in Wales'. I also met the Chief Executive Officer of Rhyl-based not-for-profit organisation RCS, Wellbeing for Work; met the All-Wales Deaf Mental Health and Wellbeing Group (AWDMHWG) and Dr. Christopher Shank from Bangor University, to discuss the AWDMHWG Deaf Health Project through Bangor University; visited The Vale Grocer at Denbigh Farmers Market; and. watched 'Tick, tick…Boom!' at wonderful Theatr Clwyd, Mold. For help, email or call 0300 200 7219.
