§ Ms KinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what research has been undertaken by his Department into the suitability of footpath stiles for use by people with vision impairment. [146712]
§ Mr. HillMy Department has not undertaken any research to look specifically at this question. However, the Countryside Agency are at the moment looking at ways of increasing access to the countryside for disabled people as part of their remit of increasing access to the wider countryside. This work will include recommending specifications for path furniture including ages and stiles. As part of this process they will consult organisations representing disabled people, including the Royal National Institute for the Blind, and intend to pilot the developing designs in a variety of countryside settings.