Derby, April 14: A DISABILITY group has criticised the design of Derby's new bus station.And Derby Disabled People's Diversity Forum has pledged to carry out an inspection of the building and log the full extent of the problems for disabled users.

It is calling for various measures, including more signs to direct wheelchair users to designated waiting areas and a public telephone.

Janet Warner, a wheelchair user and member of the forum, said there were a number of concerns about the building.

She said: "One of the main issues is that there is a space in each bay for someone in a wheelchair to wait.

"But those spaces are not signposted very clearly and it can be very confusing to know where you can wait."

The 66-year-old said the forum planned to gather members together to make a full inspection of the bus station to try to log any issues.

She said: "We will take four or five people, some in wheelchairs, someone who is blind and someone who is deaf and get them to experience the place.

"They can really let us know what the problems are."

Another complaint raised was the lack of a public telephone throughout the station.

Janet said: "It might be ok if you have a fully charged mobile phone but what if the battery is flat or you don't have one?"

The group's concerns come in the wake of complaints from disabled users about a lack of taxi ranks in the building, which was opened at the end of last month.

Derby City Council said there was not enough room to properly accommodate a rank at the new bus station.

That means passengers have to walk through the station, out on to the Morledge and across the road to hail a taxi.

Councillor Lucy Care, city council cabinet member for planning and transportation, said she had spoken recently about increasing the signage in the bus station.

She said: "The trouble is if you have too many signs it can lead to people not knowing which ones to look at.

"There may have been a contractual reason we have not put a phone in. But there is a shop and cafe due to open soon and they might be able to put a phone in."


Source: http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk