Local Transport Plan (LTP4)

Disabled, older and vulnerable people supported in the local transport plan

Contents

What is changing

Increased priority for disabled, vulnerable and older people

We aim to increase priority for pedestrians and wheelchair users throughout Surrey as we put our local transport plan into action. Our aims are to:

  • gradually give priority to the pedestrian phase at traffic lights, enabling longer crossing times and more frequent pedestrian phases;
  • make Town Centres more accessible by widening pavements and improving the quality of pavement surfaces;
  • include design features such as natural surveillance (open areas with good visibility) and CCTV for vulnerable and lone travellers;
  • make streets safer and healthier with better lighting and cleaner air.

To achieve our ambitious plans, we will need to reconsider the amount of parking available in town centres, but we will ensure that parking spaces for blue badge holders and residents with limited mobility continue to be provided close to shops and services. It is standard parking arrangements that will be gradually moved away from town centres, but when this happens, on-demand services, such as 'Park and Ride', will be offered in car parks to ensure shoppers can easily travel into towns or other popular destinations.

In fact, less parking will reduce traffic in and around town centres, which may even mean that journey times to and from the shops are quicker than parking closer to town centres where time can be wasted looking for spaces and sitting in traffic on congested roads. Eventually, as these measures take effect, our town centres will become more attractive to visit being less polluted and easier to walk or wheel around.

By removing parking spaces in town centres, we may be able to free up land that could be used for other purposes such as more green spaces and leisure facilities to improve health and wellbeing.

More accessible on demand transport services

On-demand minibuses are fully accessible and, in the future, we aim for these to be bookable through an app, by phone or online. It should also be possible for Surrey residents to access real time information about the availability and location of the minibuses. See: Mobility as a Service.

Public transport improvements

  • Trains: Our Rail Strategy highlights our role in supporting the improvement of rail stations as safe environments that are accessible to all. This includes working with Surrey Coalition of Disabled People to deliver station upgrades and design standards, supporting the continued programme of providing step and stair free access to stations and providing good connections to other modes of transport, including taxis and on-demand services.
  • Buses: As we develop our Bus Service Improvement Plan, we will work with partners including the district and borough councils to identify how we can extend our previous work to improve bus accessibility and safety. Our developments to date include providing good quality bus shelters, readily available real time information on bus times and design changes including raised kerbs and improved lighting levels. Consideration of sight lines and the provision of CCTV on buses and at some stops also play a key role in designing for safety. We will also review the opportunities to improve the walking routes to bus stops, with the aim of making them more direct, safer, easier to negotiate, whilst also making them more attractive to all sectors of the population.
  • We aim to simplify ticketing and fares to make public transport more attractive to potential passengers. Our aim is for seamless, integrated ticketing between different modes of transport and their operators, and for fares initiative to support jobseekers and people on a low income.

Parking charge increase and eco levy exemptions for Blue badge holders

We will raise parking charges to reduce the amount of traffic, increase priority for pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists, and improve air quality. There will be exemptions for Blue Badge owners and some central parking spaces will be retained for those with accessibility needs. We will ensure that altering parking supply and charges does not affect accessibility to shops and services for Blue Badge holders. There will also be help for those on low-incomes. See Mobility credit on the Jobseekers and people on a low income page.

If a local or national eco levy (or pay as you drive charge) were to be introduced, it will be carefully managed to ensure that it doesn't stop anyone from socialising, or negatively affect low income households, blue badge holders or anyone with limited mobility.

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) - our online travel app

The MaaS framework will improve and simplify the travel experience for passengers, providing reliable real time information, journey planning and payment for the full journey, regardless of the number and range of transport types used. They also support accessible travel.

The MaaS framework would also provide:

  • information about accessible travel (such as the location of accessibility ramps and lifts);
  • the opportunity to book assistance where it is needed on a journey;
  • access to safe, accessible and affordable alternatives to private car travel for all, including public transport, on demand services and shared transport;
  • mobility credits to support important journeys such as those to reach job interviews.

Mobility Hubs

Mobility Hubs will provide easy access to all your transport needs in one place, helping you get from your home to where you want to go and back again, with only one booking, no matter how many different types of transport you may need to use.

Our Rail Strategy identifies the potential for rail stations to provide:

  • better integration with other types of transport, bus and on-demand services, taxi access;
  • better links to walking and cycle routes;
  • provision of facilities such as charging points for e-bikes and electric vehicles;
  • a wider range of services for the local community, including space for local businesses and delivery and collection points.

Where possible, these fully accessible mobility hubs will be located in or close to rail stations or bus stations or stops. They will provide:

  • access to a range of types of transport, for instance, at the larger hubs, there could be bike hire and car clubs;
  • easily accessible information on travel options;
  • shops
  • digital hubs, that provide the facilities required for remote working and access to online appointments or other digital opportunities.

Mobility Hubs would make it easier for you to choose greener travel options instead of using a car and would help to reduce the number and length of car trips you take by providing more opportunities for you locally, in line with our Planning for Place policy area.

Timetable for change

We will add schemes to our timetable below as they are agreed and implemented.

What we are doing now

2022 to 2050

We will continue to plan for the future, ensuring routes and transport options are accessible for all, with consultations to ensure you can help shape the future of transport in Surrey. We will add consultations and information on schemes to this page as we publish them.

What help is available now

Travel assistance

The following websites offer information on how to get assistance when you travel and the level of help you have the right to expect when travelling on public transport.

Blue Badge giving you access to disabled parking bays

The Blue Badge scheme is for drivers or passengers with severe mobility problems and allows them to park on-street close to where they need to go. Find out if you are eligible for a Blue Badge and how to apply.

Community transport schemes

Find out about the community transport available in your area, including dial-a-ride and hospital transport.

Disabled persons free bus pass

Surrey residents with disabilities may be eligible to travel on buses free of charge. Please see our disabled persons bus pass eligibility and application information for more details.

Helping you pay for transport

Citizens advice has information about Help with the cost of transport if you're disabled.

Motability transport

Find out if you are eligible to lease a vehicle from the charity Motability. They negotiate the best deals with manufacturers and exchange your qualifying mobility allowance to lease a new affordable car, wheelchair accessible vehicle or powered wheelchair.

Related links

Policy areas

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