Bristol Council urged to enhance ferry accessibility for wheelchair users

A transport advocate with a disability is advocating for enhanced accessibility of Bristol’s ferry services for individuals who utilize wheelchairs. These ferries operate from Temple Meads, traversing the harbour to transport passengers across the city centre. However, the Temple Meads stop presents an accessibility challenge, being reachable only by steps, unless passengers undertake a significant detour to access a ramp situated 230 metres (754 feet) away. Furthermore, only a single ferry vessel is currently equipped for wheelchair access. Bristol City Council has indicated it is investigating methods to enhance water transport, following an appeal from transport campaigner David Redgewell for the authority to improve accessibility, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. During a transport committee meeting held on 24 October, Mr. Redgewell stated: “It looks to me at the moment that for the ferry services, which are important, there doesn’t appear to be one authority really picking up responsibility for that service. “There’s a need to make the boats fully accessible.” Councillor Ed Plowden, who chairs the transport committee, affirmed his intention to discuss this issue with the West of England Combined Authority (Weca) and other leaders of policy committees. He commented: “I for one would like to see much more progress on mobility as a service and integrated ticketing.” The council stated its ongoing review of “water transport,” encompassing routes and associated costs. Separately, Weca indicated it is investigating the integration of ticketing for various bus journeys and for trips involving both bus and train travel.