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Campaigning for accessibility

Why has this become necessary?

Increase in car usage – with proviso*
Population increase
Poor public transport
Social mobility
The “school run”
Increasing transgression of rules and law

Increase in car usage – both vertically (household increase) and horizontally (age increase); population increase both indigenous and immigration; poor public transport, social mobility particularly amongst diverse communities – where the vehicle is seen as a sign of attainment in a different way to suburbia; the school run; people’s “busy lives” – lack of planning; contradictions: taking the vehicle to a place of exercise: gym, park

We all know that pavement parking has yet to be prohibited in the England – outside of London, but it is a known that double yellow lines are there to ensure safety. Parking on them is increasingly common as is not using an indicator, using a car horn incorrectly, not stopping at zebra crossings – all of which are not just obligatory, but a sign of courtesy. There are also other reasons for this kind of behaviour, but speaking to driving instructors and diverse communities, the lack of cultural commonality is another criterion.

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Campaigning for accessibility

Proviso*

UK report by RAC Foundation (2012) used method based on the number of cars, the number of car trips and the average time duration of car trips based on data from the UK National Travel Survey (NTS) �"... there are about 25 billion car trips per year, and with some 27 million cars, this suggests an average of just under 18 trips per car every week. Since the duration of the average car trip is about 20 minutes, the typical car is only on the move for 6 hours in the week: for the remaining 162 hours it is stationary – parked."

Since there are 168 hours in a week, the typical UK car is parked 96.5% of the time.

2012 – so although numbers are bound to have increased, the pattern is likely the same. Whilst at my mother’s house recently: inner city Leeds, very diverse community, two cars in front of the house never moved in four days; one of the two never moved in a week. Not to hugely digress but very obvious with this particular family, that culture has had a massive impact. Despite having five generations alongside my family’s three and individuals being taken into universities via WPA, the social mobility and education one expects of second, third and fourth generation British is not there. Why? My 28 page article on education in part answers this, but to get back to the matter in hand, there has to be a certain mindset of investment in community, which is lacking amongst those that neither integrate or assimilate. Factors which have accentuated over the last 20 years.

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Campaigning for accessibility

What motivated me?

Leeds – a changed city
Using public transport
Voluntary work with Leeds Older People’s Forum (LOPF)
Using my voice
Connection with the professional work I do

Came back to Leeds after thirty years. Population composition changed, increasing at a rate of 3% a year. No longer the calm neighbour to Manchester. Traffic manic. Never used to see such numbers and lack of obeyance.

Leeds is good at promoting its positives, but is avoiding some of the more controversial or challenging traits at its expense and the expense of the vulnerable.

I literally just bought a car in October as I finally found myself struggling too much. On my own there is no-one else in the household to turn to with a car. Shopping, social life has been challenged and/or curbed for six years. Though I renovated my entire house using the buses. With my elderly Mum – highlighted issues such as lack of bus bays and seating. My campaign on the former I will revisit. Two bus accidents – both of which were connected to the reckless driving of other cars.

LOPF work started as engagement on like-minded individuals. Transport has always been at the top of the list regarding discussion and feedback.

I wanted to and hoped I could make changes in this city for myself if I ended up living here as an older person. I certainly don’t want to live in Leeds as it is because the time, energy and effort required to get support or make a change is overwhelming if you are old, vulnerable or disabled.

Though my professional life has centred on education in this country, universities and overseas, my move away from that and looking for a part-time role, led to my current position in the Association of Blind Asians – where again the vulnerable and impaired need to be considered.

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Campaigning for accessibility

My campaigns and work:

Living Streets Award – Pedestrian crossing with one pelican push button and one drop kerb for four roads
Pavement parking
Bus bays
Disabled parking bay
Research project – Inclusive Space Project – Guides

Living Streets – feel a bit of an imposter as I base any achievement on outcome as well as input. This is yet to be seen in this case.

Started off as pavement parking in 2019; photos for councillor to arrange meeting; COVID; six calls or more over a year. Then escalated to contact via LOPF – left messages with Climate Emergency Committee, promised a reply – none. In the meantime my walking highlighted a junction which needed attention.

Once LOPF contact on board, the first councillor got someone from Highways to call. LOPF contact councillor much quicker to get Access and Highways on board – visited sites with short pedestrian timers and a junction with one drop kerb and pelican crossing. In the words of the Access Officer – fell well below their standards and would be put forward for work. Followed up January 2022 to see if was part of strategy. Again August. Again at IPS meeting this year in March – still no answer to date.

Taking photos outside mosques for council to act (more than 14) – over a year of promises – no meeting and no follow up. Also engaged with Nick Fletcher (Assistant Transport Planner) who was holding a meeting on the subject in September 2019 – no follow up. So I have often approached individuals. Sent to police link and spoken to police re: this kind of obstruction.

Bus bays – again became apparent on trips with my mother. Bus stops without bays or seating. Two I focused on first raised in e:mail to Tom Riordan – after contact on LinkedIn – no reply to my 11 paragraph e:mail. Then got through to the Traffic Engineer in October 2019. Promised in 20-21 Financial Year. Came and went. Had a further 10 communications in 2022 with various members of the Highways and Transportation team following a meeting via LOPF and the Vision Zero Lead.

Still nothing. Another 3 e:mails this February 2023.

Disabled Parking Bay: 27 e:mails to the Team; 5 e:mails to councillors; numerous phone calls to Principal Transport Planner. Application, appeal, contact for assessment, complaint – accepted “time taken to respond to you has exceeded our standards on multiple occasions and I apologise for this. As explained above the work required to find a positive solution is beyond our normal processes and this has influenced the timescales”.

Research project with Leeds University – Sept. 2020. Explained some of inaccessible routes eg. Narrow carriageway road at 40mph. 1 hour interview. Videoing promised. Did not happen. Motivation and commitment lost when finally followed up in June 2022. Despite this went to the outcomes in March where all of the above were present. Guides – preaching to the converted; dissemination – MY KEY POINTS Plus note others under slides

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Campaigning for accessibility

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Campaigning for accessibility

The proposal to introduce a buildout on Harehills Lane for the bus stop was passed to the engineer who was taking the scheme forward however it would appear that they never issued this to the contractor with the rest of the works and therefore it was not done. This engineer has since retired from the service so I’m unable to ascertain why this was missed off. 15 Feb. 2023
Dear Ms Hanif, (10^th May 2023)

I refer to your email below regarding the works on Harehills Lane.

Unfortunately due to a contractual issue, all programmed works were temporarily delayed. This contractual issue has now been resolved and a new date for the works has been provided, this being the 12/06/2023 for one week. My colleague has applied for the relevant closures of the side roads (in order to reduce the impact any traffic signals has on the area) which have now been granted and therefore the contractors have been told that this cannot be delayed further.

I am sorry for the oversight and delay that this minor element of work has incurred and it should be

I trust that this is of assistance.

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Campaigning for accessibility

Before: (1)

After: (2)

Living Streets – feel a bit of an imposter as I base any achievement on outcome as well as input. This is yet to be seen in this case.

Started off as pavement parking in 2019; photos for councillor to arrange meeting; COVID; six calls or more over a year. Then escalated to contact via LOPF – left messages with Climate Emergency Committee, promised a reply – none. In the meantime my walking highlighted a junction which needed attention.

Once LOPF contact on board, the first councillor got someone from Highways to call. LOPF contact councillor much quicker to get Access and Highways on board – visited sites with short pedestrian timers and a junction with one drop kerb and pelican crossing. In the words of the Access Officer – fell well below their standards and would be put forward for work. Followed up January 2022 to see if was part of strategy. Again August. Again at IPS meeting this year in March – still no answer.

Taking photos outside mosques for council to act (more than 14) – over a year of promises – no meeting and no follow up. Also engaged with Nick Fletcher (Assistant Transport Planner) who was holding a meeting on the subject in September 2019 – no follow up. So I have often approached individuals. Sent to police link and spoken to police re: this kind of obstruction.

Bus bays – again became apparent on trips with my mother. Bus stops without bays or seating. Two I focused on first raised in e:mail to Tom Riordan – after contact on LinkedIn – no reply to my 11 paragraph e:mail. Then got through to the Traffic Engineer in October 2019. Promised in 20-21 Financial Year. Came and went. Had a further 10 communications in 2022 with various members of the Highways and Transportation team following a meeting via LOPF and the Vision Zero Lead.

Still nothing. Another 3 e:mails this February 2023. Explanation given, update promised March. Work to be done 24^th April – NOT DONE. Cllr involved and sent e:mail May as to what was happening. Work finally completed on the 16^th June 2023 i.e.

Five years after first highlighting issues. Other bus stop….!!

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Campaigning for accessibility

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Campaigning for accessibility

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Campaigning for accessibility

How can we really make change?

Education

Schools
Communities

Change culture

Beyond “Me”
Demote “car value”; promote well-being on public transport
Engaging those “not interested”; preaching to the unconverted

I believe the best way for any change is to water the roots and ask the question “why?” rather than (as we do in most of society) throw resources at the outcomes.

I am disappointed to see communities of the faith I was brought up in at mosques etc. not considering where they park when they go in to pray or pick up their children. On the social media network of “Nextddoor” are constant references to badly parked cars in other parts of the community and social strata, conflicts outside school, people not stopping at pedestrian crossings etc.

Again, I have approached individuals one to one; some have accepted their error, been oblivious to the impact of how they impact others. Mostly, it has been abuse. Our council and police seem to push the buck from one to the other. Delayed enforcement has no purpose.

So I would like to see something akin to the “Green Cross Code” in schools; if parents aren’t thinking, then children must. Certain public figures are not honing on the substance to be addressed in childhood, but the “Pollyanna” approach, which is usually pointless or stating the obvious. Similarly, the wide range of communities in our society, alongside varying values, need to be streamlined. Inconsistency and contradiction are making many who abide by rules, say “Well, s/he’s doing it, so why not me?”

My e:mail to David Jenkins – Councillor for Adults – the “daunting” e:mail that asked for SUV advertising to be banned as Possible were rolling out their campaign on this. His colleagues exact words, we only need to look around our car park to see what an issue this is. Despite this I have to stress, the positive mental impact of using public transport – engaging with others, making friends, walking, patience …totally missed in a vehicle. These are great selling points.