The European Concept For Accessibility 2003

3.1 Open Spaces

3.1.2 Street Maintenance

The design of streets and urban elements located on them define the accessibility degree of the street. But although the design was good, there are times that the maintenance activities or the lack of maintenance can seriously affect the accessibility, i. e.

• The maintenance works in the sidewalk has to foresee the proper signalling, protection with fences and provisional accessible ways. .

• The damaged urban furniture can cause an accident if dangerous parts are exposed.

• The rubbish can be an obstacle and a danger if the street is not cleaned so often or the containers are not big enough.

Finally we have to bear in mind that in order to ensure that everybody can collaborate in the recycling of materials, containers have to be accessible for all the citizenship without forgetting children and the elderly. In short, good co-ordination and functioning of cleaning and maintenance services are the key to a safe environment in which people enjoy a good quality of life.