31 March 2011
Vitebsk Oblast becomes more wheelchair-friendly
VITEBSK, 31 March (BelTA) – For the past four years Vitebsk Oblast has allocated over Br3.7 billion on barrier-free environment, BelTA learnt from the labor, employment and social security committee of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee. Vitebsk Oblast is in the middle of the program on the phased reconstruction of the road network, pedestrian crossings to make them user-friendly to persons with disabilities. Overhaul and maintenance works to improve surface of streets, exits and passages have been performed on the total area of 2,500 square meters. Forty traffic lights have been fitted with synchronous sound alarms. More than 100 humps on the roadway have been arranged. Vitebsk Oblast has purchased 159 low-floor transport vehicles, including 110 buses, 48 trolleybuses and trams. Twenty-two bus stations and 35 rail stations have been made wheelchair accessible. A mobile platform lift to take wheelchair users to cars has been purchased by the railway station in Vitebsk. Elements of the barrier-free environment have been installed at 950 healthcare, cultural, social facilities. Nearly 2,000 facilities, or 53% of the total social infrastructure have been equipped as part of the barrier-free environment program. The major works have been held in Chashniki District and Novopolotsk. Utilities, banking, transportation, social security, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries have been engaged in the program. The regional barrier free environment program for 2007-2010 was implemented in line with the corresponding state program. It was funded from the local budgets and by the executing organizations. Further development of the barrier-free environment at the social facilities is envisaged in the corresponding regional program for 2011-2015.БЕЛТА
