Shared Space campaign launched

Shared Space campaign - aiming to prevent conflicts over the priority wheelchair spaces on buses

A new campaign, launched today on the first anniversary of the 2012 Paralympic Games, is aiming to prevent conflicts over the priority wheelchair spaces on buses.

Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM) Shared Space project will focus on passengers, raising awareness of the priority wheelchair areas, promoting considerate behaviour and encouraging positive attitudes towards disabled people.

Funded by the Department for Transport (DfT), the project will build on previous work undertaken by TfGM in this area by using posters at bus stops and bus shelters across the region to provide advice on the use of wheelchair spaces and priority seating.

The project also aims to raise awareness among disabled people of the behaviour they should come to expect from other passengers.

Howard Hartley, Head of Bus for TfGM, said: “Anyone can use the priority wheelchair spaces if necessary but we want to remind passengers that this area is the only place on the bus where wheelchair users can travel safely.

“Public transport is often significant to disabled people in terms of their independence, confidence and happiness. It is therefore important that people realise how their attitude and behaviour can have such a huge impact.”

The Shared Space project is being piloted on the Greater Manchester bus network with a view to extending it to Metrolink and rail services in the future.

The 2012 London Paralympic Games opened on 29 August and became one of the largest multi-sports events ever to be held in the United Kingdom, with 4,280 competitors representing 200 countries.