Plan to move Leeds Station taxi rank is an attack on city’s disabled - YEP letters

Further to the excellent story by YEP reporter Richard Beecham on October 24 regarding the potential relocation of Leeds Station Hackney Carriage taxi rank.

As community representatives with Leeds Council Access Group we are truly grateful to Coun Dan Cohen and Coun David Blackburn for raising what are very serious equality concerns associated with the hurt, exclusion and distress caused if this rank was moved to Bishopgate Street.

Many people jump into taxis without a second thought, but for a minority of older people and children and adults living with disability, taxis are valued as a vital door to door transport service and the critical role of well-located easily accessible ranks are fundamental to making journeys inclusive for all.

The plan to relocate this rank to Bishopgate Street would result in making access to the rank extremely difficult, or impossible, for some older and disabled people.

It is not appropriate in such circumstances for the council to make blanket one size fits all statements saying they believe they have created an accessible route to Bishopgate Street, when this is simply misleading.

We have provided the council with a wealth of case evidence detailing the additional discriminating barriers that will force passengers, regardless of any luggage, to access lifts, flights of steps or take a 50mt detour, which makes the journey challenging for everyone, but most especially for a minority who would be placed at disproportionate and substantial disadvantage due to age and or disability.

We have been overwhelmed by the response from parent carers of disabled children, older people and disabled adults who will be directly hurt and impacted if the taxi rank is moved from its current step free same level accessible position on New Station Street.

This proposal represents a plan that will exclude and discriminate against members of the public.

Leeds City Council must surely defend and uphold the highest equality values and also celebrate the vibrant diversity of all its citizens,

We call on our city leaders and councillors to stop this unforgivable attack that will undermine the access and social inclusion of some of our older and disabled minority community members.