Treloar College student Ben joined Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and travelled to London to hand in a petition to Downing Street. All to show support for the National Federation of the Blind UK. Ben said:
"On Tuesday 20 February I went to London to deliver a petition to the Prime Minister. I went to Number 10 Downing Street with Surrey Coalition and people from the blind community. The petition is drawing attention to the problems with floating bus stops."
Floating bus stops - what are they?
Ben explains: "A floating bus stop is where a cycle lane runs between a bus stop and the pavement. This is dangerous for people with disabilities, such as being blind or partially sighted and wheelchair users, as you have to cross the active cycle lane. Cycle lanes are used by electric bikes, e-scooters and pedal cycles. It is also dangerous for elderly people. Floating bus stops can be found in London and are proposed to be put into other big cities."
Ben continues: "Surrey Coalition asked me if I would help to deliver the petition, and I was happy to be involved as I am a wheelchair user, and it affects lots of people. The hope is that the Government will rethink the whole issue so that it is safer. Unfortunately, I didn’t meet the Prime Minister, but we did deliver the petition to a representative.
"It was a great opportunity to visit Downing Street and take part in this project which is so important to our community. I hope that our Prime Minister will take into consideration the hundreds of people that will benefit from the change in policy."