Saturday, November 17, 2012

UPDATED: BRIGG BUTTERCROSS CHANGES AFOOT BUT DOES PLAN NEED ADJUSTING HALF-AN-INCH?

Brigg Buttercross photographed side on by Ken Harrison with the  side access door on the left.

Brigg town councillors wonder whether North Lincolnshire Council might have tripped up a little over how it proposes to improve the flagship Buttercross which houses our award-winning Tourist Information Centre.
North Lincolnshire Council, which owns and operates the early 19th century grade two landmark, is seeking listed building consent for provision of a platform lift "and alterations and improvements."
The worthy aim is to make the first floor's chandelier-adorned meeting room more accessible to the public, particularly those with mobility issues who cannot cope with the stairs.  
It is intended to generate extra income through lettings of a room whose limited access deters a number of would-be hirers.
Brigg Town Council's Planning and Environment Committee must be consulted about any such proposals, and, at Wednesday night's meeting, some town councillors thought they had spotted a slight flaw in what's being proposed.
So the town council is to express concerns about the proposed ramp to the side door apparently not being "graded in all directions."
The fear is that the small, raised area leading to the ramp assisting wheelchair access could become a trip hazard to pedestrians approaching it side on.
Coun Ben Nobbs said he was very concerned about the proposed "raising up of the path."
Coun Chris Dyson, who has personal experience of pushing wheelchairs through Brigg town centre, fully supported Coun Nobbs' concerns, although he thought the raised area might only amount to half-an-inch.
Nevertheless, Coun Dyson welcomed proposals to bolster the use of "a great room" within the building.
Coun Ann Eardley expressed her total support for opening up the Buttercross to everyone.
Having studied the documentation placed in the public domain by North Lincolnshire Council on its planning portal, Coun Nobbs Coun Nobbs concluded: "The plans are very unclear - even on the website."
UPDATE - SUNDAY, NOV 18: We have now been told that further investigations suggest a height well above the half-inch suggested.

1 comment:

Ken Harrison said...

Possible alternative:

Instead of alerations - could not wheel-chair access be via the TIC shop?
There is an access door between the shop and the side entrance door.