Ramping up accessibility in Dundee

Back in June, our Community Manager, Joe, shut down the Tay Road Bridge! Whilst far from a fun experience, we used this challenging experience to inspire a lasting change that will help so many.

Here's what Joe had to say about the incident.

“As I had some time to spare on my trip to Dundee, I decided to cross the Tay Road Bridge to explore Newport-on-Tay in Fife, a coastal town overlooking the River Tay.

“On the way back across, I made sure to check the lift indicator on the Fife side, which told me the lift at the Dundee end of the 1.4-mile crossing was operational.

“I rolled across the bridge with my wheelchair and power attachment, expecting to just hop into the lift at the other side and be on my merry way.

“When I got to Dundee... yeah, the lift was not working. Instead, I was greeted by a flashing sign with the symbol of a person running, which I am not quite able to do. I was stuck.

“I headed back onto the bridge and used the intercom to get help. Thankfully, it was not raining. Shortly afterwards, members of the bridge team arrived to help me off the bridge.

“They offered me three options: 1. Carry me down the spiral staircase. 2. Carry my equipment while I shuffled down the stairs. 3. Close the bridge.

“So, we closed the bridge!

“The crew put out traffic cones and held the traffic while I transferred from my wheelchair onto a ledge, then back into my chair. I then rolled down the carriageway and into the city centre. This was within my current range of movement, but a powerchair or scooter user would have had no option but to make the crossing back over.

“I decided to create a video about the experience and it went a wee bit viral, with more than a quarter of a million views. The same day, the Tay Road Bridge team got in touch to have a discussion.

“They first apologised for what had happened, which I appreciated. But I wanted the experience to have a greater impact, one that would help avoid the same issue for others in future.

“We spoke about potential exit routes if something like this happened again, and one clear solution stood out: a ramp that could be deployed in an emergency.

“I am glad to report they have now done just that. As a direct result of my experience, and the support of many people who care about accessibility, the Tay Road Bridge now has an emergency ramp!

“This will not only help disabled people, but anyone who experiences a medical emergency on the bridge. It is a shining example of how accessibility benefits everyone.

“This is the value of sharing your experiences. Not only does it show others what they might expect, it can also create lasting change that supports people for generations to come.”

Hear more from Joe on his experience and the change it inspired