In News

The UK Government has announced that Highways England’s access guides will make travelling via the motorways easier for disabled travellers when visiting England.

Statistics show that around 5% of drivers in England are classed as having a disability, which has formed the basis of Highways England’s pledge to help motorists plan their journeys easier. The new guides are available online or via AccessAble and cover the 114 service stations located on motorways around England. Key areas including information on parking, toilets, petrol station facilities, shops and restaurants can be found in the guides with details about staff training and hearing loops as well as waling distances and designated places of safety.

In addition, Highways England has worked with Access Able, an organisation that provides information about accessibility, to create virtual route guides for each of the service stations. This new type of guide, which uses 360 degree imagery, allows visitors to explore routes to facilities including Changing Places toilets so they know exactly where to go on arrival.

Julian Horsler, Highways England Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, told reporters: “We’re committed to ensuring our customers with disabilities can travel safely on our roads. That’s why we’re introducing new services to break down barriers and help people reliably plan and feel confident about their journeys.

“Whatever the nature of your disability, the access guides for motorway service areas take the guesswork out of journey planning, giving you the information you need about facilities along your route.”

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