§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will produce an interim report on the trials of new texture surfaces to help visually handicapped and wheelchair-bound pedestrians at crossings; if he will invite comments from wheelchair, handicapped and visually handicapped people and their associations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe new textured surface designed to assist visually handicapped and wheelchair bound people at pedestrian crossings was developed by the transport and road research laboratory in close consultation with representatives from organisations of and for disabled people. My Department is continuing to work with those organisations in monitoring reaction from users of crossings where the surface has been laid. The responses we have received so far are most encouraging.
I intend to issue a report when we have had an opportunity to establish that, under severe whether conditions, the textured surface will not present any hazard to disabled people and other pedestrians, or be subject to excessive wear.