Chester’s Bus Interchange has won another award, recently picking up the prize for ‘Accessible Transport Project of the Year’ at the Smarter Travel Live awards in Liverpool.
The Bus Interchange, which opened last year, has a range of inclusive design features.
These include – directional and information signage; colour contrasting seating, bins and timetable displays; Shopmobility telephone information point; dual-height customer services counter with hearing loop system; an RNIB ‘Map for All’ (tactile map); unisex accessible toilets and baby changing facilities; Changing Places facility; and tactile wayfinding paving for blind and visually impaired passengers.
Cllr Brian Clarke of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Chester has already built a reputation for its accessibility.
“We work closely with local and regional disabled organisations, listening to their views and ensuring that they are involved in the design of major large scale projects including the bus interchange, Storyhouse, Frodsham Street and Chester Northgate.”
Cllr Clarke continued: “Receiving an award for accessibility is particularly gratifying, we are committed to making lives better for our residents, whatever the challenges they face.”
The Bus Interchange was winner of the ‘Medium Category’ at the North West Institute Structural Awards last year.
It operates 24 hours per day, and is staffed between 6.15am and 11pm (Monday to Saturday) and from 6.15am until 9pm on Sundays.
There are 13 bus stands, supporting an average of 90 buses per hour (there are less services operating between 10pm and 6am).
In addition, Chester is the first British city to have received the European Commission’s Access City Award.
The award recognises cities for their efforts to make it easier for disabled and older people to gain access to public areas, and highlights those with clear plans for further improvements.
