DPTAC Main Committee meeting minutes March 2022
Updated 13 February 2024
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9:15am to 1pm, 9 June 2022, Queens Hotel, Leeds and online.
Attendees
DPTAC: Keith Richards (Chair), Will Bee, Chris Price, Tanvi Vyas, Roger Mackett, Dave Partington, Matthew Smith, Mike Brace, Niki Glazier, Helen Dolphin.
Guests: Bus Users UK, Cabinet Office, Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS), Transport Scotland, Inclusive Mobility and Transport Advisory Committee (IMTAC).
Welcome and introductions
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies were noted from Bryan Matthews and Sharon Brennan.
Members were invited to declare conflicts of interest:
- Helen Dolphin is contracted to Network Rail and co-chairs the Heathrow Advisory Group with Keith Richards
- Keith Richards is on the board of Transport Focus, co-chairs the Heathrow Advisory Group with Helen, and chairs the Rail Ombudsman Scheme Council as DPTAC Chair
- Matt Smith works for ORR
- Roger Mackett is working with HS2 on a piece of work on the impacts of building high-speed rail on communities
- Tanvi Vyas is a member of the Heathrow Advisory Group
- Will Bee is on the Control Period 7 planning group
NaPTAN
DfT explained National Public Transport Access Nodes (NaPTAN). DfT have replaced the old system and can now think what they want to do with the new technology. DfT explained there is a lot of data that has yet to be integrated and that in the current exploratory stage they are considering the needs of disabled users and want to ensure they provide the right amount of information.
The Committee discussed suggestions for NaPTAN including: stricter naming convention for stops; presence of curbs/pavements/shelters; information about obstacles; whether other apps such as National Rail Enquiries and passenger assist could be integrated.
Action: DfT to follow-up with DPTAC over apps removing accessibility information.
Manual for Streets update
DfT presented on the update of Manual for Streets (MfS). The Committee discussed this including: links to recent Inclusive Mobility Guidance; pavement licensing; accessible formatting; operational issues like enforcement or licensing; use of accessibility consultants; and the need to involve disable people in decisions about street design.
Action: DfT and DPTAC Personal Mobility Working Group to meet.
Action: DfT to reply to DPTAC questions on e-cargo bike enforcement and licensing.
Action: DfT to take back point about accessibility consultants.
Buses and Bus Service Improvement Plans
Bus Users UK presented on the state of the bus industry, the need for funding to deliver Bus Service Improvement Plans (BSIPs), and the role of Bus Users UK.
Members discussed examples of good practice in BSIPs, the need for research on non-bus users and for consideration of non-visible disabilities.
Action: DPTAC to follow up with DfT on bus best practice hub.
Introduction from Minister Wendy Morton
Minister Morton introduced herself and thanked DPTAC for their engagement with DfT.
The Minister said her top priorities for accessibility were rail transformation, seeing things on the ground like the accessibility audit, and culture change.
The Minister confirmed that buses are a priority and shared her confidence about completing the PSVAR review and Accessible Information Regulations.
Post-item discussion: Minister Morton
Members discussed that DPTAC could assist in deepening the minister’s understanding on accessibility issues.
Action: Secretariat to liaise with minister’s office and propose a presentation from DPTAC.
Post-item discussion: NaPTAN
Member noted the need to link NaPTAN to the National Rail Enquiries project.
Action: Secretariat to connect the 2 teams.
Members requested a presentation from a journey planning app to discuss providing accessibility data. The Chair questioned whether DfT was ensuring companies provide a minimum level of accessibility in products based on NaPTAN.
Action: DPTAC COG to consider this for future DPTAC meeting.
Post-item discussion: Manual for Streets
Members expressed concerns over the longevity of the document and emphasised the need for DfT to consider how to get people to use the MfS. DPTAC questioned whether other stakeholders could present to the Committee to explore from different angles.
Action: DPTAC COG to consider this for future DPTAC meeting.
DPTAC priorities
Chair expressed desire for DPTAC to be proactive using revamped work plans.
Members asked how accessibility work can be more joined up to consider whole journeys. DfT explained there are cross-modal meetings and programme boards to bring together modes.
DfT explained the ITS evaluation process, following a baseline evaluation report in January and plans for a full report to be published in 2023. DfT is also publishing annual scorecards presenting metrics of disabled people’s travel.
Action: Secretariat to provide DPTAC with an update on this.
Members expressed concerns that a shift in focus to electric vehicles could pose accessibility and sustainability challenges.
Action: DfT to consider accessibility engagement with decarbonisation teams in DfT.