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Historic London Improves Accessibility Ahead of the Olympics
To mark a year to go to the Paralympics, this piece demonstrates that London, host city for the 2012 Games, and the UK are accessible for everyone. Shotlist: 10.00 00 OPENING GFX 10 00 05 (1710 – shots of St Paul's) (1860 – shots of Houses of Parliament) (1863 – shots of London underground) A nation's capital city….steeped in history. Built by the Romans and built again after the Great Fire of London. Historic and iconic buildings conceived and constructed hundreds of years ago when no thought was given to accessibility for the disabled and people with hearing or visual impairments. Even the world's first underground railway opened back in the 19th century….a rich historic lineage that brings its own challenges. 10 00 43 But London is also a thoroughly modern city preparing to host next year's Olympics and Paralympics, with accessibility for all, a cornerstone of the project. 10 00 55 Paralympic multi-gold medal winner Baroness Grey-Thompson explains the benefits of all the work that's being undertaken at historic tourist attractions and throughout the transport network. 10 01 07 SOT Baroness Grey-Thompson My experience of accessibility on transport is really positive in London. I mean there's been massive changes and improvements in the last 10 years. Every black cab is wheelchair accessible, every bus is wheelchair accessible and there's huge amounts of the underground that you can get wheelchair users on and off so there's so many places you can go. 10 01 27 SOT Baroness Grey-Thompson It's not just for people like me in wheelchairs; it's for mums with children or prams, or for older people. 10 01 34 And it's not just transport that needs to be accessible for everyone who visits the city before, during and after the Olympics. 10 01 42 SOT Baroness Grey-Thompson The London Eye is in my top five of UK sites to see, partly because it is just a stunning piece of architecture and engineering. It's just absolutely beautiful. On a clear day you can see for so far. 10 01 55 But accessibility isn't just about being able to get around…. it's also about what you can do - without spending a fortune - while you're visiting London during the Games. 10 02 07 The Nes family from Norway found out just how far their money could stretch on a day out in the capital. 10 02 13 £ 19.20 (approx $31, €22) The London transport discount Oyster card was the first step… 10 02 18 £ 0 Then it was off to Horse Guards near Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard 10 02 24 £15.60 (approx $25/€18) The Nes family took advantage of the variety of food on offer at Borough Market to grab themselves a spot of lunch. 10 02 32 £ 0 A family stroll in one of the royal parks 10 02 36 £0 Total £34.80 (approx $57/ €40) Before some hands on activity at the Science Museum. 10 02 45 SOT Synnøve Nes We need to come back because we don't have enough time this time to see everything 10 02 52 When the Nes family return there'll be even more for them to see and do. Games legacy projects like the newly built Haggerston BMX bike park have been funded in a way that allows local disadvantaged children to use the facilities alongside tourists and budding Olympians. 10 03 09 SOT Mathew Wilson, Hackney BMX Club I've always been very pro Olympics and I was hoping that things like this would kind of happen and they have so I'm very pleased, and I think a facility like this as well, because of the maintenance, the accessibility we should be able to keep it going for way, many years past the Olympics 10 03 25 SOT Baroness Grey-Thompson I think London's really committed to making a difference and making the games as open and accessible to as many people as possible and if we can't make positive changes because we've got the Olympics and Paralympics, then its never going to happen. 10 03 47 STING 10 03 53 Paralympic multi-gold medal winner Baroness Grey Thompson's athletic exploits have taken her round the world, but some of her favourite days out are still spent in the UK. 10 04 02 SOT Baroness Grey-Thompson Cardiff Castle is in my top five of days out. I grew up in Cardiff and it just brings back really happy memories of childhood. 10 04 11 SOT Baroness Grey-Thompson The accessibility in Cardiff Castle is pretty good. I mean it is such an old building but they've tried to adapt it very sympathetically. So they haven't just slapped down ramps everywhere which actually would take away from the feeling of getting around, but they've thought about how you can get to every different part and experience it and it just makes it a lovely way to experience history 10 04 34 SOT Baroness Grey-Thompson Accessibility to the London Eye is absolutely brilliant, so there's ramps and the staff are really well trained and actually they hold the pod as well so if you're in a wheelchair you have a little bit of extra time to get on. Its in a beautiful place on the South Bank and its that anticipation as you sort of rise above ground level and you can see more of the city 10 04 54 SOT Baroness Grey-Thompson Whitby features in my top five of days out because it's the beach and it's a beautiful part of the world and also they do the best fish and chips anywhere in the whole of the UK. 10 05 06 SOT Baroness Grey-Thompson Brighton is an amazing place because its incredibly diverse. Its shops, bars, restaurants, clubs and it is just a really lovely place to be. 10 05 16 SOT Baroness Grey-Thompson I love Edinburgh mile because I used to compete there and its possibly one of the hardest races that I've ever done but its kind of the shops - I like shopping and there's probably no better place in such a small space. 10 05 28 Edinburgh is an old city and that brings some challenges but I think in the whole of the UK, we've recognised in the last 10 years that we have to make it more accessible for everybody. 10 05 39 Edinburgh Festival Aug 3- 27, 2012 And the local people will be welcoming visitors to next year's famous Edinburgh Festival in between the Olympics and the Paralympics. 10 05 48 CLOSING GFX 10 05 53 END Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account. Got a news story? 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