New group opens way for disabled

The Otley Disabilities Advice Group is campaigning for wheelchair access to Gallows Hill nature park.

Several roadside kerbs in the town centre are to be levelled to make it easier for wheelchair users - as well as people with pushchairs - and a ramp is to be built on the White Bridge in Wharfemeadows Park.

Other issues being tackled by the new group are the possibility of getting specially-adapted hand cycles and tricycles for the town and the problem of motorists parking on pavements and blocking the way of disabled people.

It is also calling for disabled parking outside the newly-refurbished toilets in Farnley Lane and at the Wharfemeadows Park car park as well as improvements to cobbled areas such as Market Place.

Chairman Neville Birch said the group had gained support from Leeds City Council and was working well to improve facilities for disabled people.

An exhibition giving details of which roadside kerbs will be adapted will be on display at Otley Civic Centre this month when it is hoped disabled people will put forward further suggestions.

"We want people to come forward and give their views. Leeds is very keen to promote Otley as an example where disabled people have good benefits," said Mr Birch.

After discussions with the Council's parks department, it was likely a ramp would be built at the run-up to the White Bridge in Wharfemeadows Park, he added.

That meant that people borrowing mobility scooters from Otley Civic Centre would now be able to get along the river and into the Gallows Hill nature park.

"Disabled people will now be able to get the benefit of the countryside," said Mr Birch.

The group is also looking at the provision of disabled parking spots outside the Farnley Lane toilets and in the Wharfemeadows Park car park.

Anyone interested in its work can contact Julia Johnson on (01943) 466713.

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