The aim of the forum is:
• To act as a voice for visually impaired people all over Fife
The Fife Forum meets every 2 months to discuss issues that affect those with a visual impairment. We currently have 11 members on the forum 6 are on the Board of Directors as representatives of local service users.
The last meeting of the forum was held on Thursday 13th August 2009 when we discussed the transportation issues, the RNIB REACT system and travel issues.
The last meeting with Transportation Services was held on Wednesday 16th September 2009. At this meeting concerns regarding crossings in Cardenden, Cowdenbeath, Oakley and Newport were raised:
• Cardenden despite new signs being installed warning drivers they are approaching a zebra crossing cars are failing to slow down. The team for this area are going to look into this and conduct a survey to find out the extent of the problem.
• In Cowdenbeath concern was raised about the pedestrian crossing just off the first exit of the roundabout as you come into Cowdenbeath High Street. To help with this problem the time that the signal shows red for traffic before the green man comes on will be extended from 1 second to 3 seconds to allow for traffic to get through if they are unable to stop in time.
• The problem in Oakley is that there is no pedestrian crossing. The Forum will be arranging to go to Oakley and look at where a pedestrian crossing is most needed and the extent of the problems faced by people in Oakley and report this back to Transportation Services who will then arrange to do a survey of this area to see what can be done regarding a pedestrian crossing here.
• In Newport there have been concerns raised that near where the Post Office is there are problems with being able to safely cross the road. Transportation Services are aware of this problem and are looking into it, it has not been forgotten but they still need to do more research into what the best solution will be. They are looking at extending the 20mph zone which will then allow them to look at traffic calming areas within the area which will help increase safety for pedestrians.
Some of you may already be aware of the RNIB React system which has been installed in railway stations across the UK including Kirkcaldy train station. Black boxes have been put up in Kirkcaldy train station on both platforms and at each end of the tunnel. Visually impaired people who have a key fob can press a button and when they pass the black boxes it will tell them where they are. We believe this is not enough though and are arranging a meeting with First Scotrail to ask that they can make full use of the system by installing real time information so that visually impaired people with a key fob can also find out when the next train is due and where it is going to. I met with FirstScotrail to discuss this and they agree with us that real time information would be useful so they will look into this to see what has been done.
They have also given us 8 REACT fobs to give out to clients who use Kirkcaldy Train Station for them to try out and give feedback to FirstScotrail. If you are a regular user of Kirkcaldy Train Station and would like a REACT fob (free of charge) then please get in touch.
Another issue raised was about the Concessionary Travel Scheme. Some clients have had problems with their Concessionary Travel Card not registering on the card reader on buses. I have contacted Stagecoach and Fife Council who have given me guidance on this:
1. If your card does not register on the card reader due to a fault with the card and the driver can clearly see that the card is genuine and you are the card holder the driver will then ask you for the card which they will give to the bus depot who will send it to Transport Scotland. You will be issued with a 7 day temporary pass and told to contact Fife Council as soon as possible to get a replacement card. If you decline to hand over your card for any reason then you will have to pay the full fare.
2. However, if the card registers as expired then you will be given your card back and have to pay the full fare for this journey. You should then get in touch with Fife Council to get a new card if you are still entitled to one.
I hope this helps you understand the procedures bus drivers must take.
The Forum is there as a voice for visually impaired people in Fife and it is a chance to have any issues that need addressed both on a regional and local level to be dealt with. We need you to bring forward any issues or problems you think we should address so that we can take action, and put forward your views in any decision making by service providers, the NHS and the council, that affect the visually impaired. We also invite your suggestions on any improvements to services provided by the Society or other service providers that would benefit you so that we can put them forward to help promote best practice. Without your input we are unable to help make changes that will benefit people with a visual impairment.
If you want to know more about the forum or have any issues you wish to raise please call the office and leave a message for Claire Chue Hong or send an email to claire.chuehong@fsbinsight.co.uk