Accessible transport: unlocking a better normal

Join Transport Focus and London TravelWatch as we explore the impact of Covid-19 on accessible transport and how the industry has responded to this challenge. We’ll also be looking to the future, asking how service providers can help build a better normal for disabled people. Hear from a range of industry experts, including Minister of State for Transport Chris Heaton-Harris, as well as hearing first-hand from disabled people about their experiences.

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Agenda

Event chaired by Anthony Smith, Transport Focus chief executive

Welcome and opening remarks – Jeff Halliwell, Chair of the Board, Transport Focus
Keynote speech – Chris Heaton-Harris, Minister of State for Transport
Video: disabled people share their experiences during the pandemic
Panel: keeping services accessible during the pandemic
Video: disabled people share their aspirations for the future
Panel: improving accessibility and unlocking a better normal
Closing remarks – Anthony Smith, Transport Focus

Speakers

Chris Heaton-Harris MP

Minister of State for Transport

Chris Heaton-Harris was appointed as a Minister of State at the Department for Transport on 25 July 2019. He was elected Conservative MP for Daventry in May 2010. As Minister of State for Transport, he has responsibility for rail, Crossrail and Crossrail 2; East West Rail; cycling and walking; accessibility; and corporate.

Victoria Garcia MBE

Accessibility & Communities Manager, Brighton & Hove Buses

Victoria is one of the first people appointed to a full-time accessibility and communities role in the UK bus industry. Her current role involves ensuring accessibility and the needs of the community are considered in every part of the business, whether that’s driver training, new vehicle specification, ticket machine design or customer service. She is involved in steering the strategy of Brighton & Hove buses to ensure that any decisions made have making buses accessible for all at the centre.

Alan Benson

Chair, Transport for All

Alan is a leading disability campaigner on issues of transport. He recently made the Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100 list of the most influential disabled people (for the second time running!). He also sits on the Board of London TravelWatch and co-chairs the Department for Transport’s Inclusive Transport Stakeholder Group.

Will Bee

Lead of the Local Travel Working Group, Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)

Will Bee has held senior posts in both the public and voluntary sector as well as running his own consultancy business. From 2001 to 2007 he was Wales Director of the Disability Rights Commission where he also led its work on transport, managing the publication of a code of practice and various modal guides to the new duties on operators introduced in the Disability Discrimination Act 2005. A wheelchair user himself, Will joined DPTAC in 2008 after the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) was merged into the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He currently chairs the Local Transport Working Group covering buses and taxis.

Martyn Brett-Lee

Commercial Director, Welcome Break

Martyn joined Welcome Break and the Operating Board in 2019 as Commercial Director. Welcome Break is one of the UK’s leading motorway service operators, running 44 service areas and 31 hotels across the UK. It operates world class food and retail brands, as well as hotels under the Ramada and Days Inn brands. As Commercial Director, Martyn is responsible for all commercial functions, including retail and food, brand partnerships, procurement, supply chain and marketing. This extends to responsibility of the investment in customers and the community, including customer experience, accessibility, community engagement and working with Welcome Break’s charity partner, Children In Need.

Dominic Lund-Conlon

Head of Accessibility and Inclusion, Rail Delivery Group

Dominic has worked in transport policy for 10 years on a variety of challenges, both customer and strategy focused. As a person with lived and professional experience, Dominic focuses on inclusive solutions that empower customers to control their journey with confidence and dignity. Recent projects include the Passenger Assist Improvement Programme and supporting Greater Anglia with the design and implementation of the new Stadler Flirt vehicles.

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