France’s Disability Act of 11 February 2005 requires local authorities and public entities for inter-commune cooperation (EPCI) to draw up plans for making roads and public spaces accessible by December 2009. This new requirement highlights the importance of roads and public spaces as links in the transportation chain.

Furthermore, the Act requires that, by February 2008, transport authorities shall have defined master plans relative to access to public transport services for the areas under their responsibility. Such plans and master plans must be an integral part of urban transportation plans, where the latter have been defined, incorporating the issue of accessibility.

The questions of content, scope and how these plans are developed must be addressed. This implies a need for coordination between the various players involved and discussion with user representatives.