HILLINGDON'S bus stops are set to become more accessible to people with mobility impairments after an inspection last week.

Transport for London (TfL) and Hillingdon Council teamed up with members of the community with mobility difficulties in a bid to make bus stops in the borough accessible.

The group looked at the height and alignment of the kerb, the need for protection against parking and loading and the positioning of the bus stop to ensure clear and easy access along part of bus route 282, which travels through Eastcote, Northwood Hills, Northwood and terminates at Mount Vernon Hospital.

TfL and London's boroughs spent £4.9 million on improvements at bus stops in 2005/06 across the capital and are planning to invest similar amounts of money in years to come.

Many bus stops in the borough are already considered fully accessible. However, TfL and Hillingdon Council are keen to assess which stops require further improvements.

London has the world's largest fleet of wheelchair accessible buses - with 8,000 low floor buses operating on 700 routes.

Vanessa Rumble, chair of Social Activities for Multiple Sclerosis and a member of the steering group of Hillingdon Council's assembly for people with disabilities, said: "Wheelchair users need to be able to know that they can access buses as they are just as important as other bus passengers.

"At the moment, it is hit and miss whether wheelchair users can get on a bus as the kerbs are at different heights but I am hopeful that this route test will contribute to making the bus service available to all."

Philomena Bach, director of environment and consumer protection for Hillingdon Council, said: "Hillingdon Council is committed to working with TfL to improve access for disabled persons and elderly groups in the borough and to ensure bus stops and other transport links are accessible to all."