Survey highlights public concern over pavements

A CITIZENS survey held across Wells in the spring by action group Accessible Wells has given a snapshot of the main concerns of residents with mobility and disability problems.

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Poor pavement surfaces and accessibility information are high on the list, with the lack of a manageable travel network and access to disabled toilets also featuring strongly.

‘The Accessible Wells Survey was distributed to known care settings and members of the public between February and April. Its findings were released this week, highlighting the issues confronting residents and visitors when it comes to allowing disabled people access to facilities and services and to participate fully in city life.

On five issues the strength of disagreement (dissatisfaction) compared to agreement (satisfaction) was expressed as a concern ratio in excess of 5, eg, five times more likely to be dissatisfied than satisfied:

16.8 times for pavement surfaces being in good condition

12.1 times for pavements offering a manageable travel network

9.8 times for knowing where to find useful information for mobility aid users

7.3 times for disabled toilets being readily found and accessed

6.8 times for Wells being a city where disabled people can participate fully

‘The survey analysis said: “Carers are 87 times more likely to disagree than agree that pavement surfaces are in a good condition. ‘This is understandable to the extent that it is frequently the carers who have to struggle with pushing someone in a wheelchair. They understand this issue more keenly than anyone else”

It continues: “Mobility aid users are 60 times more likely to disagree than agree that disabled toilets can be readily found and accessed. ‘This is also perfectly understandable, because we have not yet been able to effectively communicate there are more than 20 disabled toilets accessible across the city.”