Assembly supports Equal Pavements Pledge

The London Assembly has put its support behind the campaign of Transport for All calling on councils and transport authorities to sign an Equal Pavements Pledge.



The London Assembly also called on the Mayor to work with Transport for London (TfL) and councils in London to respond to the pledge with a comprehensive programme to be delivered in his current term.

Sian Berry AM, who proposed the motion said:

“Lots of us take our pavements for granted, but to many disabled people, they still feel inaccessible due to barriers that the Mayor has the power to fix.

“Being able to move around our city freely is a right that should be afforded to all Londoners, including those with complex needs. The Mayor needs to work with both Transport for London and councils to make sure he delivers on the Pledge in the current term to help include and empower disabled people.”

Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who seconded the motion said:

“There is no inevitable conflict between outdoor catering in many places and accessible pavements, but al-fresco dining must be delivered with care and

full consideration of the needs of everyone. We must not sacrifice the minimum pavement space that is necessary to guarantee access for everyone.”

“The basic principle must be upheld that no one is excluded from our pavements due to cluttered pavements and other barriers.

“The challenges of delivering accessible pavements also go much further, with some streets still lacking dropped kerbs and tactile paving at road crossings.

“The Mayor, TfL and local authorities must work together to create streetspace that is equitable and accessible to everyone. An open London should be open to all.”

The full text of the motion is:

“This Assembly notes that 95 per cent of roads are the responsibility of London boroughs and only 5 per cent belong to the TfL network. This Assembly notes the campaign of Transport for All calling on councils and transport authorities to sign an Equal Pavements Pledge.

This Assembly notes that the majority of disabled people polled by Transport for All were worried that streets remained inaccessible with many streets still lacking even drop kerbs to enable level access along pavements or to cross the street.

This Assembly also notes that disabled people were concerned at the risk of further barriers being presented – either from the way in which changes to streets were delivered, or from al-fresco dining being delivered without consideration for the need for clear access on pavements.

The Equal Pavements Pledge outlines a need to:

• Listen to disabled people, and act
• Keep pavements clear
• Cut pavement clutter
• Reduce the impact of waste removal
• Audit pavements and install drop kerbs where they are missing
• Protect blue badge parking, with relocation kept to a minimum
• Work with disabled experts, committing to co-production of schemes

This Assembly notes that the Mayor through TfL has engaged directly with organisations representing people with specific accessibility requirements in addition to engagement with its Independent Disability Advisory Group. Furthermore, TfL has hosted a series of working groups with representatives including Transport for All, Disability Rights UK, Inclusion London, Scope and the Royal Institute of Blind People to hear their views, and TfL carries out equality impact assessments on every scheme it leads on. This Assembly agrees that London continues to need investment and progress in making pavements fully accessible, and calls upon the Mayor to work with Transport for London (TfL) and councils in London to respond to the pledge with a comprehensive programme to be delivered in his current term.”