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No Disabled access at Midsomer Norton sports centre: MP acts for disabled constituents to press Council

North East Somerset’s MP Dan Norris is asking B&NES Council when they will provide proper access for Disabled people at Midsomer Norton's leisure centre.

"People are telling me that getting to any of B&NES-run South Wansdyke Leisure Centre's major attractions, like the gym, steam room or pool, all involve a major upheaval," says Dan. "I'm told there is no Disabled access beyond the front door, with people needing need to get up and down flights of stairs, with no lifts, ramps or stair lifts."

Dan has been contacted by two Disabled constituents, Sylvia Beever and Janet Porter, who are both angry about the lack of access they have experienced at the leisure centre.

Sylvia, 64, who has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has trouble with her breathing so going up flights of stairs is very difficult."Using the gym here is a problem. It takes me a long time to get up the stairs to the facility and I can't even consider using the steam room as I couldn't manage yet another flight of stairs," she said.

Janet, who's 61, is waiting to have her hip replaced. "My disability is not as severe as Sylvia's, but I still couldn't go the leisure centre on my own. I couldn't risk tackling the stairs alone, it's too dodgy," she said.

Ironically both women joined a scheme last year run by B&NES, called Passport to Health. They've received home visits for a number of weeks to get used to gentle exercise and this is then supposed to be followed up by regular visits to a local leisure facility. Yet Disabled access there is inadequate.

Sylvia said: "I love visiting the leisure centre in Midsomer Norton because the controlled temperature is perfect for me and allows me to do gentle exercise - being outside is really difficult for me, and I cannot walk far, or walk and talk at the same time.

"But at the moment, it's a sheer work-out just getting up to the gym - I have to have a rest for ten minutes before I can do any of my normal exercises.

"I want the opportunity to keep doing this - I know I'm not going to get any better but I want to do all I can to stop myself getting any worse."

The only alternative for Sylvia and Janet is the community gym at Writhlington School which has a lift - but it's too far away for Sylvia and Janet doesn't drive.

Janet said: "I can't understand how this can happen. I volunteer for the St John's Ambulance and we've had to raise thousands of pounds to put in Disabled toilets, ramps and signage because our hall is open to the public. Why hasn't the leisure centre got the same basic facilities? No one in a wheelchair could use it without significant help and that's not right."

Dan has written to B&NES Council asking for an explanation and asking exactly when necessary works will be carried out.

"There have been promises of a refurbishment of the South Wansdyke Leisure Centre, but they've been on the table for some time. My constituents believe it's time for action. They want to know exactly when the facilities will become properly accessible to everyone."

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