Media release
Newmarket Buiness Association
Sunday, 24 January 2010
 
Blind community gives Auckland’s newest station thumbs up

Auckland’s newest railway station has won high praise from blind and partially-sighted people.

“The Newmarket station’s only one week old and so it’s great to get such positive feedback from the blind community so early on. They are an important part of Newmarket and so we’re delighted they’ve give the station the thumbs up,” says Cameron Brewer, chief executive of the Newmarket Business Association.
“Newmarket is a popular destination for blind people because it is home to the Royal New Zealand Foundation Of The Blind. In fact Newmarket has more blind and partially-sighted people per capita than any other place in New Zealand. They have been a big part of the Newmarket community since the Blind Foundation opened up in the 1900s.”

“In Newmarket we are very conscious about the likes of sandwich board placement, where we install our public art, ensuring tactile indicators were part of the Broadway upgrade, and making sure the likes of our pedestrian crossing signals can be heard over the traffic.”   

Mr Brewer says having the RNZFB around the table.was a key part in the planning the $35m station’s design.

“Public transport is critical to the visually imparied. It’s all about removing the obstacles, greater accessibility and making sure people feel safe and confident about using the facilities.”

“The Newmarket Rail Station is an excellent example of an accessible public transport space. I’m rapt with the final result. It’s light and airy, under cover and easy to navigate,” says RNZFB Community Education and Information Manager Chris Orr, who has been involved with the project since the beginning.

Mr Orr says some of the accessible measures at the station include high visibility yellow tactile indicators, colour contrast, and excellent lighting.

Cameron Brewer: “We’ve had such good feedback about the station’s design from the wider public over the past week. To now get the big stamp of approval from the blind community certainly shows that Newmarket’s new station is leader for others to follow.

“The attention to detail and the rail authorities’ willingness to listen and get it right from the outset is a positive for public transport. More visually-impaired travellers will now have greater confidence to use Auckland’s rail network and that’s great all round,” says Mr Brewer.

ends
 

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