The installation of a new tarmac path at an open space in Bemerton Heath has been completed, marking progress towards making Salisbury’s parks and open spaces more accessible.
This path, at Pinewood way, will allow people with limited mobility, especially those who use mobility aids, to access the green and playground area more easily. It will also benefit parents and carers using pushchairs.
In November 2022, the Disability Interest Group of Salisbury (DIGS) came to the full council meeting after completing a disability audit across the city, identifying barriers to accessibility and recommending improvements. The City Council set up a task group in January 2023 to review the information and decide how to proceed.
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Following a series of meetings, the council agreed to allocate funding in the 2024/25 budget to begin making parks and open spaces more accessible. The budget was made available in April 2024.
CEO of DIGS Kez Adey said: “After a lot of hard work by members past and present it is fantastic to see the City Council make important accessibility decisions.
“I would like to thank Paul Sinclair, Mandy Blake, Harris, Julia, Chris and Justin for all the ideas and also Salisbury City Council for listening to our passionate pleas, and we look forward to working with them in the near future with a wheelchair accessible swing.”
“After our MP told us it was not a government issue, we lost hope a little, so it is fantastic that the City Council is taking the first steps in an important project.
The £32k investment is Salisbury City Council’s first project aimed at making Salisbury’s parks and open spaces more accessible.
Cllr Annie Riddle said: "There is still a great deal that needs to be done to make Salisbury disability-friendly, and the City Council leadership is keen to help when funds permit. This new path is an important step along the way to better access for all, and we're delighted to have been able to help."
Councillor for the Bemerton Heath Ward Caroline Corbin added: “The installation of the path will enable more families to use the park safely, grateful thanks to Kez and the DIGS team for helping to raise disability awareness within our communities.
“Disabled access requirements are very easily overlooked when often a small improvement can have a big impact on a wide range of needs. Such as the path, which will be useful to wheelchair users, parents/carers/grandparents with pushchairs, or even a toddler on their first bike ride to the park.”
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