WHEELCHAIR ACCESS - SOLUTIONS SOUGHT
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS - SOLUTIONS SOUGHT

Leading Liberal Democrat Councillor Cllr Jane Tapper is determined to 
improve access across the city for all wheelchair users. Currently a 
number of Bath wheelchair users are effectively trapped in their homes 
because the high kerbs and pavements are too difficult to negotiate 
safely:

"Learning to use a wheelchair is not straightforward," said Cllr Tapper, 
herself a wheelchair user "and where there are high or awkward kerbs the 
wheelchair is faced with what might as well be a cliff face - impossible 
to pass.

"I have been working with disabled people, and talking to B&NES Officers 
to look for real solutions to these difficulties. I am delighted that 
B&NES has a budget allocated for the provision of dropped kerbs, and I am 
keen to identify the best places to have them installed."

Dropped kerbs mean that wheelchair users, as well as parents with 
pushchairs and pedestrians with other mobility problems will be able to 
move more independently and safely around the city.

Cllr Tapper has written to all Bath Councillors asking them to identify 
potential sites in their Wards, and she is also keen to hear from members 
of the public with suggestions:

"Of course we can't guarantee that every request can be met," said Cllr 
Tapper "but what we can do is ensure that as many practical options as 
possible are considered for people living in Bath. B&NES will also be 
considering dropped kerb provision in other parts of the authority." 

When the list of potential sites for dropped kerbstones is completed, Cllr 
Tapper will discuss the safety, practicality and cost of installing better 
access for wheelchair users with the Council's Access Officer, Eamon 
McCelland. Cllr Tapper said:

"I am hopeful that work can begin on installing dropped kerbs before 
winter begins. This is a real opportunity to make the city more accessible 
to all its residents, and I hope that we will get a thoroughly 
comprehensive list of potential sites for dropped kerbstones."

Cllr Tapper can be contacted on 01225 312982, or at her e-mail address:  
jane_tapper@bathnes.gov.uk

Ends.