Disability access in Keswick

[Ian]

I have been coming to Keswick, almost every year since 1961 and I love the place. Last year was my first year using a wheelchair and found access to shops and restaurants very difficult. We are thankfull that the Oasis restaurant has disabled access.

Can anyone tell me please, if matters have improved since the Disabilty Discrimination Act came into force last October? Having a choice of where to eat would be wonderful.

Many thanks
Ian

[kelvyn]

Ian

As someone who's mobility has become impaired I have had a recent look around Keswick. I have seen no changes to improve access for the disabled. Within shops the display stands are frequently too close together to permit wheelchair access and many of them have steps or stairs inside with no alternative access such as lift or ramp.

The main problem that I see are where steps need to be negotiated to gain access to a shop, pub or restaurant. These are structural things which are difficult to change with the restrictions imposed by being within a conservation area in a National Park. And of course there may be considerable cost implications.

As compliance with the DDA requires businesses to take all "reasonable" steps to ensure that access is available to the disabled I'm afraid that it seems likely that the law courts will have to rule on the definition of "reasonable".

[Ian]

Hello Kelvyn

Thanks for your reply. It does not surprise me that there is little change with regards to access. I spoke to a number of shop managers who had display stands that were too close together to permit wheelchair access. The trouble is that they have no intention of changing things as they want to sell their goods. Those shops which have branches throughout the UK will only change things when told to do so by Head Office.

Also I discovered that a great many premises had made no attempt to even seek advice as to how their premises could be adapted. So the term "reasonable" steps does not apply to them and that makes them in breach of the law. Allerdale Council & the National Park authority can offer advice as they too come under the DDA regulations, with regards to their buildings.

I am saddened by how little things have changed and this may prompt me not to come to Keswick again. It will be to the business peoples loss.