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In Touch: Photo ID At Polling Stations; Network Rail On Tactile Paving

20/07/2021

Photo ID At Polling Stations; Network Rail On Tactile Paving

BBC Radio 4 - In Touch, Photo ID At Polling Stations; Network Rail On Tactile Paving

Photo ID At Polling Stations; Network Rail On Tactile Paving.

The RNIB estimates that around 40,000 blind and partially sighted people will be excluded from voting if the introduction of photographic voter ID passes in the Elections Bill.

Plans to require voters to show photo ID at polling stations were recently introduced in Parliament under the Elections Bill. But The RNIB are concerned that this will make the electoral process even less accessible for blind and partially sighted voters, who are seemingly disproportionately less likely to hold a passport or driving licence. We talk to the RNIB's Director of Development Keith Valentine about the charity's concerns surrounding this.

And we get some answers from Network Rail's Head of Public and Passenger Safety, Allan Spence about their plans for tactile paving across their network. There have been some promising signs emerging from Network Rail over the last 12 months, as they have installed tactile on a significant number of platform edges. However, their current plans to equip all stations by 2029 has been dubbed by charities as not being quick enough. Tonight, we're asking whether this installation could be sped up, what funds are available for said installation and whether any temporary safety measures are being put in place whilst these plans are being carried out.

Presenter: Peter White
Producer: Beth Hemmings

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