§ 16. Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions1136W she has had with the Environment Agency about improving disabled access to beaches where flood defence work has taken place. [101128]
§ Mr. MorleyI have had no such discussions. However, I can say that the Environment Agency's Southern Region has commissioned safety consultants to undertake an R&D pilot study for the provision of disability access to EA coastal and fluvial defences.
The report, only recently completed, proposes a common methodology for surveys on future provision of disability access. This work will contribute to a better understanding and awareness of the needs of disabled people and will further work required for developing policy.
The Agency has also appointed recreation officers in all its regions and one of their roles is to champion access in the consideration of flood defence schemes.