AWA urge Erewash Borough Council to reconsider canal access for people with disabilities.
People with disabilities, additional needs, and families with pushchairs, are joining forces to campaign for greater consideration in the plans for the new bridge across the Erewash Canal in Long Eaton.
Whilst most of the design is fully accessible, the new link to the canal is a set of steps.
The next nearest route onto the towpath, at the end of Lawrence Street, has barriers to deter motor bike entry. The campaigning group claims this will limit or prevent access for many people.
The group are urging Erewash Borough Council to ensure a proper ramped access replaces the set of steps.
Tim Clarke, from the Accessible Waterways Association says: “No-one should be excluded from enjoying and benefiting from the whole of this project.
“We are pleased to see the plans for the new bridge across the Erewash Canal in Long Eaton. It offers a much better route between the park and the town centre.
“However, we have been approached by locals who are concerned that accessibility is not being put first on the section between the bridge and the canal towpath. The proposed design will force a diversion of over half a mile for anybody who can’t manage the steps. A ramp instead of the steps would make the bridge totally accessible to everybody equally.
“It is not only disabled people that this affects. It is anyone who struggles with steps. This includes elderly people, parents with pushchairs, shopping trolley users, and those with maybe temporary mobility issues.
“As such, we are extremely surprised and disappointed that the proposed new access to the canal does not meet modern accessibility standards.”
The bridge is government funded through the “Levelling Up” fund via the “Towns Fund” in collaboration with the Erewash Borough Council.
AWA has lodged an objection to the plans and have received an acknowledgement but await a response. The objection is on the basis of government guidelines, which state:
“Inclusive design requires that the needs of all disabled people are considered from the outset of any transport and pedestrian infrastructure, including maintenance…”
* Link: inclusive-mobility-a-guide-to-best-practice-on-access-to-pedestrian-and-transport-infrastructure.pdf.
Derby Telegraph article on bridge showing plans including the steps: https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/gallery/plans-modern-new-bridge-over-8991295.