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Government
deliberately pushing disabled people to the back of the queue
LOCAL Labour MEP Brian
Simpson, Chair of the European Parliament's Transport Committee and
Maria Eagle MP, Labours Shadow Transport Secretary have attacked the
UK government's decision to shelve mandatory disability awareness
training for bus and coach drivers until 2018.
Mr Simpson said:- "Disabled people and people with reduced
mobility have a fundamental right to equal access to public
transport, which is why the European Union has introduced laws to
ensure bus and coach drivers are trained to assist disabled
passengers. Unfortunately, the Government has decided to put off
introducing this training until 2018."
Speaking on the issue Maria Eagle MP, Labours Shadow Transport
Secretary said:- "With this move the Government is
deliberately leaving disabled people behind, pushing their rights to
the back of the queue for no more reason it seems than the profit
margins of bus companies. This is a huge backward step for access
and equality for disabled people less than a year after we
celebrated the UK hosting the Paralympics.
It's neither fair nor right and both the Tories and the Liberal
Democrats should hang their heads that yet again they are failing
disabled people."
Research by the RNIB into the experiences of blind and partially
sighted bus users has found an urgent need for mandatory training of
bus and coach drivers.
The RNIB has described the Government's decision as:- "a major
setback for disabled people that does not uphold the London 2012
Paralympic legacy. By missing this golden opportunity to make disability training
essential for drivers, the government is leaving Britain's disabled
people behind on the buses."
Mr Simpson added:- "EU law now includes specific rights for
disabled passengers. For instance, disabled people taking long
distance coach journeys are entitled to free assistance, and if this
is unavailable they have the right to ask for a friend or carer to
accompany them at no extra cost.
But the Government's decision means five more years of disabled
passengers being left behind by buses that don't stop, or dealing
with buses moving off before they have had the opportunity to sit
down."
In a joint letter to the Transport Minister last year, Mr Simpson
and Labour's Shadow Secretary for Transport Maria Eagle MP urged the
Government to take action on disability awareness training and
pointed out that the Government's position was at odds with the UK's
commitment to the UN Convention on the rights of persons with
disabilities.
"Once again, we're getting conflicting Tory messages that
simply don't add up and an austerity agenda that hits the most
vulnerable in society. The
coalition is cutting disability benefits and insisting that many
people receiving support are actually fit to work. But at the same
time the Government is failing to remove the barriers to transport
that many disabled people face.
The UK should be doing everything it can to defend disabled
passenger rights. Instead the Government is leading a race to the
bottom and leaving disabled passengers behind, whilst the rest of
Europe moves forward." said Mr Simpson.
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World's
top illusionists, Guy Barrett, at Pleasureland
ONE of the world's top illusionists, Guy
Barrett, and award-winning magician Russ Brown are to bring their
acclaimed shows to a FREE show at Pleasureland's family show-bar
(inside the Casablanca complex) at Easter. Last year the park was
the most visited attraction on Southport's tourism website Visit
Southport and this year it's pulling out all the stops for the new
season. Topping the bill of treats is a favourite among Barrett's
unfathomable signature illusions, which sees a woman passed through
the whirling blades of a giant fan. It's no surprise his
performances are so popular, he comes from showbiz 'royalty' with a
father who was ring master at Blackpool Tower's circus and a mother
who was a professional ice skater. Pleasureland's Easter 'pop
up'
family shows featuring magic, illusions and UV puppetry, are free
and designed for audiences to drop in to enjoy as part of the park's
Bank Holiday experience. The park has redesigned its Casablanca
indoor family entertainment centre adding a massive stage for family
fun. Guy and Russell will be in action on stage every afternoon,
with rolling entertainment from 12 noon to 5pm, during the Easter
break for two weeks from Easter Saturday, 30 March 2013, for 8 days
through to the following Sunday (April 7th). The park opens its
doors for the 2013 season on March 23. ILLUSIONIST GUY BARRETT Guy
Barrett comes from a show business family background. He developed
an interest in magic at a very young age and began performing in
cabaret and theatre at nine years old. In 1990 Guy fulfilled his
dream and started working with large scale illusions, and over the
years has received many of the profession's top awards including the
British Ring Shield from the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
In July 2012 Guy won third prize in the Illusion Category in the FISM world championships of magic, which attracted 100s of
competitors from all over the world, and has regularly toured all
over Europe and the Middle East. Working in theatre, television,
theme parks and at corporate events, he designs illusions for other
magicians and advises and directs shows. Guy first met Russ at
school where they became fast friends with a shared passion for
magic and illusion. RUSSELL BROWN Russell's interest in magic began
as a child when he got his first magic set. His family were forced
to 'pick a card', 'watch closely' and 'say the magic word' many,
many times but as he got older and started to win awards with his
magic, they realised it wasn't just a passing phase. Russ' unique
style involving lots of audience participation, loud music and crazy
gags has captivated kids (and their parents) from around the globe.
He was the resident children's entertainer at the world famous
Blackpool Tower for over 10 years before leaving to take up
residency in his own venue at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Russ' latest
venture is into the world of the 'Black-light Puppet Show' and he
has created and performed two shows. 'The Haunted House Spooktacular'
and 'A Space Idiocy' have been seen by thousands and won acclaim
from audiences and professionals alike. Having won many awards,
including the Leisure Parcs Entertainer Of The Year and in 2009
received the coveted Ken Dodd Comedy Award. |
