Parties react to study revealing disabled drivers get poor service at petrol stations

TThe main political parties have given their reactions to a survey revealing that a lack of accessible facilities and poor customer service is a major barrier to disabled drivers purchasing fuel at petrol stations.

A total of 20 garages were visited over a one month by a disabled driver, who recorded their experiences. Garages included BP, Esso, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Shell and Tesco.

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The research found that 70% of petrol stations had no signage indicating assistance for disabled motorists. In 70% of garages without signage the disabled motorist had to either sound the horn or flash the headlights, and wave their Blue Badge, in order to get attention.

The study was carried out by RICA – the Disabled and Older Persons Consumer Research Organisation –­ for disabled driver app provider  Assist-Mi. The parties gave the following responses to the report’s findings:

Conservative Party

Conservative Party spokesperson: "Access to good travel is critical for many disabled people, helping them to get around, and it’s important that petrol stations don’t create barriers making this more difficult.  We’ve been working hard over the last five years to make sure transport is more accessible for disabled people, making buses more accessible and investing in improvements to stations. And we’d encourage petrol stations to do all they can to ensure disabled people don’t find them difficult to use. Whether it’s by car or public transport disabled people should be able to get around with confidence - and we’re determined to keep working to make that a reality."

The Labour Party

Kate Green, Labour Party spokesperson: "This is important research, and I urge petrol retailers to take note of and act on it. Many disabled people depend on their car to get around, and they need to be able to fill up safely and easily. Petrol retailers should be making reasonable adjustments to help disabled customers, including staff training and looking at the layout of their sites. Technology can be a big help in giving information to disabled drivers about what support will be available at petrol stations."

The Liberal Democrats

Charlotte Kelloway, Liberal Democrat spokesperson: "Affordable, accessible transport is vital for people with disabilities, not just get around, but to live full lives and achieve their potential. Liberal Democrats are leading the renewal of Britain’s ageing infrastructure but we still have decades of under-investment to catch up on.  In government we would: 

• Give wheelchair users priority over children’s buggies when space is limited on trains and buses. 
• Bring into effect the provisions of the 2010 Equality Act on discrimination by private hire vehicles and taxis.
• Improve the legislative framework governing Blue Badges.
• Build on our successes in improving wheelchair access to improve accessibility of public transport for people with other disabilities, including visual and auditory impairment.
• Set up a bench-marking standard for accessible cities."

UKIP

Cllr Star Etheridge, UKIP Disability spokesman: "There is always a distinct lack of help for disabled motorists. I think I have in all my years of driving seen one sign with a button to press to get assistance filling the tank & then paying. The petrol station is usually a distance away. For those of us with limited mobility it is like walking a marathon. For those of us who use wheelchairs it is more difficult. Personally, I have to make sure my carer is with me so that she can put the fuel in my tank and pay with my card.  UKIP would like to see more petrol stations with a dedicated pump for the disabled. Other people could also use it but disabled drivers with a Blue Badge should be able to get a service whereby the fuel is pumped in & then a portable Card machine to take payment could be used for payment. The fact that there are such barriers takes away some of the independence of disabled drivers. If disabled people can't get to the pump and then to pay without a carer or friend then it prevents travel further afield. Petrol stations could make a small change to how they do business to help disabled drivers have more independence."

The SNP

James Dornan MSP: "We know that transport accessibility is important for everyone but disabled people face particular barriers. Statistics suggest that a non-disabled adult is 50% more likely to make any kind of journey than a disabled adult – that is something the SNP Scottish government aims to address. Disabled people should enjoy the same rights, choice and opportunities to use travel as everyone else. I want a Scotland where disabled people know they can travel in comfort and safety and with the confidence of knowing they will be helped to complete that journey successfully and according to their needs. Last month the Transport Scotland hosted a Transport Accessibility Summit which brought together interested parties, including local and central government, to discuss a range of key issues raised by disabled people themselves. Many of the people attending the summit support the statement - ‘nothing about us without us’ - and the SNP Scottish government is determined to make this happen. For those that did not attend the summit an online survey is available for disabled people to share their views and we would encourage people to do so." Read the survey by clicking here

Plaid Cymru

Plaid Cymru spokesperson: "Plaid Cymru wants a nation in which everybody has the opportunity to reach their potential and make their own life choices. To achieve this, we will aim to reduce the gap in terms of equality of opportunity and life-chances that currently exist. We want to see disabled access to all public areas vastly improved - this includes garages and forecourts. We are also committed to working with local authorities to ensure that all Blue Badge holders have access to free parking."

Green Party

The Green Party have not yet responded