Concerns have been raised regarding the provision of ferry services for disabled people on the Isle of Wight in light of the new Trade In Services agreement between the UK and the EU.
Isle Access has contacted the ferry companies asking them to issue assurance that there will be no reduction to the availability, process of transportation and level of service given to disabled passengers.
Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, has said:
“Firstly, let me reassure you that Red Funnel’s commitment to ensuring the provision of services to all customers, including passengers with reduced mobility or those requiring special assistance, is unchanged and remains one of our highest priorities.
“Please be reassured that the legislation to which you refer has not been materially changed as part of its incorporation into post-Brexit legislation – the exclusion to which you refer is contained in the original REGULATION (EU) No 1177/2010 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 24 November 2010 concerning the rights of passengers when travelling by sea and inland waterway and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004 and expressly prohibits operators discriminating against disability or reduced mobility. Article 8 (Exceptions and special conditions) is there to recognise the occasional and unique challenges that may occasionally be insurmountable due to the nature of the vessel/infrastructure preventing safe access or carriage and indeed, it places specific obligations on the operator in supporting those passengers who may be affected should this occur.”
Neil Chapman, Managing Director of Hovertravel, has said:
“As noted by others, this had already been dealt with and discussed by council/operators. Rest assured Hovertravel position is that of others and hope that gives all users the assurance needed.
“If anyone has an issue, concern or even a question – I would be more than happy to answer personally.”
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Keith Greenfield, Chief Executive of Wightlink, has said:
“I can assure you that Wightlink has no plans to reduce the level of service or availability of services for disabled passengers. The thought to do that would not even occur!”
Travel with someone then, instead of burdening the ferry staff with yourself.
Fed up with disabled people demanding equality and then expecting different treatment on public transport.
In a healthy society it is the norm to help others that are not so fortunate than yourself. Much of the ‘prevision’ for disabled people is just easier access and not what you think. They just need to have some space to get out of their cars and a lift to the deck. Also not everyone has someone they can travel with.
Describing them as a burden is disgusting and discriminatory. You are one sick individual. Also your comments if voiced in the open would lead you to court. I expect this is why you did not have the balls to use your real name.
everyone is entitled to an opinion tom – and able bodied people have rights as well and that includes not being pushed to the back of the queue, not being made to pay more for a ticket than someone that has a disability – that is discrimination right there.
People are not obligated to help any other individual ever – there is no contractual requirement in life to provide any assistance to someone else – remember in nature, if you cannot support yourself, you get eaten by a predator – survival of the strongest and fittest is how nature operates.
really tom…I am fed up with being discriminated against for being able bodied – why is it then, that I see public transport staff carrying bags for customers just because they are older than me or claim to be disabled, yet won’t carry my bags for me. I am a customer just the same as the others – why should they get a bag carrying service and a cheaper ticket, yet I pay more and carry my own stuff.
Disabled people have demanded equal treatment with able bodied people, but expect discounts and help – that is not equality.
i have every right to be annoyed at paying more for less.
Tom, whoever drain on resources is, is not describing disabled people as a burden per se – the comment makes reference to the appearance of imposing themselves on a staff member, which would burden that staff member with the task of providing assistance
Tom, you would do very well to remember this wise adage: “Just because YOU are offended by what is said, doesn’t automatically mean what is said is ‘wrong’.
Using a court instead of discussing politely and sensibly is the correct way to change opinions IF they need to be changed.
Hushing by banning changes nothing, but you ‘think’ it has.
Just come across this and I certainly don’t know why your post is being marked down. I have watched and witnessed how selfish people are and becoming. I’m alright jack springs to mind. Disabled do not ask to be be disabled and I as an individual that is lucky not be disabled will go out of my way to help any unfortunate person. Totally agree that describing them as a burden is disgusting and discrimination at its highest. Not wishing harm but people that discriminate will have a drastic different opinion when illness or injury etc., puts them into a vastly different position. Be kind. Be considerate and show compassion. Be safe as well.
the poster has intimated that expecting help from others is to burden them with your request – there is no discrimination – it is an opinion and nothing more.
I REALLY do not understand where some of this hysterical reactive behaviour comes from!
WHO has said that the regulations are being changed? Where has it been published? By whom has it been announced as policy and formerly proposed?
Part of the process of the U.K. leaving the EU included the transfer of ALL (then) current EU legislation in U.K. law.
it was clearly stated that only AFTER due consideration would any former EU regulations be removed from U.K. law, and then only selectively.
Why would the ferry’s reduce access to the disabled?..
This is clearly reteric that’s come from the undemocratic, remoning, far left.
Grow up and respect democracy, and stop windging.
I see it’s been left to Red funnel, to answer the question again.
Well done Red Funnel.
And what a feeble answer from shite link and Hover Travel.
It looks like they did not look into this, and could not bother to answer fully.
Shite Link pounds in pockets, don’t care what the paying customers want.
no wonder they have a strike on their hands, useless waste of space.
i suspect that Hovertravel have not provided an answer as long as the one red funnel have, because Hovertravel are too busy operating their service, whereas red funnel and wightlink have plenty of time to respond at length, as they aren’t operating any boats.
More bile from those miffed that there project fear never proved successful, so now their allies in the media, search for any little problem to then try and convince the losers, that, they were indeed right in their fear mongering, and the UK is now forever doomed, due to the naughty public daring to vote against the wishes of the elite and those who want fully global compliance for it’s own ends.
Yet note none of these whinger, when knowing they lost left to go and live in their beloved EU, and they never will.
Yet people still risk life and limb to float here, so it can’t be ‘that bad’ otherwise their journey would end in France, and they sure don’t come for the weather.
Think, see it how it is, NOT how the media wish you to think.
Jammy, what a first class summary of those remain voters thoughts and actions.
Sadly they will be aided and abetted by the EU for a while, as the EU feared contagion the most, and will now cut off it’s nose to SAVE it’s face, and make life and business difficult for the UK.
But, given time, we will win out over this, and they know it.
As the fear mongering never worked, more physical action in the form of deliberate delays, form filling and strict rule adherence will be used by the EU to slow business our side, and we must do the same to ‘level’ the playing field, as we import more from them.
After a year or so, once Brexit is not main news in Europe, then the pressure will reduce as contagion fears will ease for the concerned French and Germans.
Then we should pressure France and any other useful current EU lands to leave, and have a trade only deal with us as the ‘common market’ was INITALLY set up for, NOT as a right to rule the whole of Europe and have once currency and allow all the poorer inhabitants to flood to the richer countries.
So ignore the media looking for ‘issues’ the UK will do well, just give it time.
Well said, the mainstream media have always been fake news…
Leaving the EU’s corrupt club has not resulted into a catastrophic situation that would result us going into world war 3, and we are not living in cave’s..
Oh so true, many remoaners still do not understand that many of the rules and regulations were introduced ‘whilst’ we were in the EU NOT ‘because’ we were in the EU
Due to Brexit many of the rules will be roled back for the benefit of big business and the elites, while punishing the poor fools who not only voted for Brexit, but then put Boris in charge.
As for those smart enough not to vote for Brexit, or Boris, not leaving to live in the EU, we have, as have many that we know. I now pay the taxes on my 6 figure salary in a land that still has jobs and opportunity (not to mention a working healthcare system, good public transport, decent roads…).
So long UK and thanks for all the fish.
What the frigging hell has this to do with disabled passengers on the ferries. Another twat posting inane posts.
but you still look in on british websites – full of BS bob