20.05.05
Access to the beach

This summer Restormel Borough Council will be the first authority in Cornwall to provide better disabled access to one of our beaches by providing a special wheelchair for hire on Fistral beach. This will mean that wheelchair users will be able to enjoy a day at the beach, going where no conventional wheelchair has gone before.

The wheelchair, which had to be specially imported from America features large balloon wheels and a stainless steel frame, will hopefully stimulate enough interest to encourage wider sponsorship so that at least one, but perhaps more, can be made available on each of our beaches where access is available.

Cllr Annette Egerton, who has Cabinet responsibility for access to services, says: "This space-age looking wheelchair will make it possible for anyone confined to a wheelchair, provided they have someone strong enough to push them, to go onto and enjoy Fistral Beach. I hope that it will provide the stimulation through local sponsorship to provide more and more units sited at those places where they can be most useful.”

The Landeez wheelchair costs £3000, weighs only 37 pounds and can be easily disassembled for storage or portability. It has attracted interest from beach lifeguards who see a possible use in transporting injured people from the beach. It is hoped that hotels, campsites and other local businesses will recognise the advantages in having this facility for disabled guests and will follow Restormel's example.

Anyone interested in either purchasing or sponsoring a Landeez should contact Nick Hibbett on 01726 223561 or nhibbett@restormel.gov.uk.

For further information, please contact Nick Hibbett Head of Environmental Health, Restormel Council on 01726 223561 or email: nhibbett@restormel.gov.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Fistral Surf Centre through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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