Wheelchair users are ‘frightened’ to negotiate Wellington’s uneven pavements because it causes them to career into walls and garden fences, it has been claimed.
Councillor Pat McCarthy wants to start a campaign to improve the pavements on College Ward by holding a photographic exhibition and petition in Wellington town centre next month.
The move comes after hearing how wheelchair users were finding pathways uneven.
He said: “My Mother-in-law found it really difficult to get from Kings Street into Wellington because of the state of the foot ways. We had to come back because she got so frightened. The wheelchair was swerving into people’s front walls because the camber is 30 degrees.
“My wife kept on pushing her into the wall but she couldn’t help it. If you have a camber of 30 degrees it is inevitable.
“I asked at the last College Ward East Resident Association meeting if other people had any problems and one woman said someone she knows had a real problem getting around Wellington.”
Councillor McCarthy has also been out in College Ward with Trevor Tranter, a wheelchair user from Wellington, and took photographs of areas where they experienced problems.
Mr Tranter said: “The pavements are disgraceful and the curbs are no better.
“It is stopping me going out on my own. I have to get someone to come with me because I am scared I might tumble out.”
Rob Hood, secretary of Shropshire Wheelchair User Group, said: “As a group we are always happy to give advice and send someone along and check it out.”
Councillor McCarthy said he wants to use photographs in an exhibition at the town centre next month to highlight the issue and will be consulting members of College Ward East Resident Association on his plans.
“I want the council to understand that all our foot ways should be usable for everybody,” he said.
