FOI Request - Social Distancing and Transport

Request 101002532702

I’m writing to you under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 to request the information below.

I’m requesting information covered by section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (Equality Duty).

Social distancing will impact on how public transport operates.

Routes, stations, terminals and taxi ranks, pedestrian areas, etc. will presumably need to be redesigned to accommodate this.

Please provide information not limited to emails, maps and other relevant documents that demonstrate how the local authority has considered/ is considering the needs of vulnerable groups in planning and implementing these changes.

Please also provide information on the timeline for implementation of any changes.

Response 16-07-2020

Moray Council as a local authority, along with transport operators (bus, train and taxi companies) have all been working hard to consider the needs of all transport users and to enable the space for physical distancing.

The principal changes that have been the responsibility of the local authority has been the temporary restriction to motor vehicles and parking in some areas, to provide additional space for physical distancing. In doing this, by removing a small amount of parking outside busy shops creates additional pavement for pedestrians - including those with reduced mobility. In Elgin town centre a small number of streets have been temporarily pedestrianised to create this space. In doing so some disabled parking spaces have been relocated.

A summary of the changes can be found here: https://newsroom.moray.gov.uk/news/changes-to-elgin-town-centre-proposed-to-enable-safe-shopping  

An Equalities Impact Assessment was carried out which can be found here. Identifying personal details have been redacted from this document under Section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.