The government has unveiled improvements to an internet map that helps disabled people travel across the UK.
The blue badge map already included the locations of facilities such as blue badge parking bays, Shopmobility centres, taxi ranks, accessible beaches, as well as describing the parking rules for every UK council.
But the map – published by Directgov, the government’s information service – now also features access information for more than 2,000 UK train stations and more detailed access assessments of more than 500 of them.
There is also new access information on more than 160 football stadiums, and improved information on London tube stations and parking across the UK.
The new additions to the map have been created by Directgov’s disabled people and carers section, which is based in the Office for Disability Issues (ODI).
Tim Cooper, director of the ODI, said: “We want disabled people to have greater control and independence in their lives, including how they spend their leisure time.
“We hope blue badge holders and their drivers will use the map to plan their travel by road and rail.”
The former Manchester United and England footballer Danny Wallace, who has a blue badge himself, and is an ambassador for the National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS), said: “I know first-hand how important blue badge parking is for disabled people and the knack is to know where to find spaces, especially on match day.
“I was pleased to hear that NADS and Directgov have been working together and sharing their information in this way.
“The blue badge map is an important service and one that should help disabled fans across the UK.”
To use the map, visit www.direct.gov.uk/bluebadgemap
22 September 2009
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