The Gloucestershire Echo reports:
FOR wheelchair users, getting around Cheltenham can be a tricky business.
They are forced to negotiate bumps, cracks and uneven surfaces and at this time of year, stores have festive displays which are difficult to navigate around.
To investigate the issue, Echo reporter Joe Lane borrowed a wheelchair from Shopmobility and took to Cheltenham's streets.
SITTING in a wheelchair for the first time was unnerving.
The first thing I noticed was that getting around was hard work. I had to constantly fight against the natural contours to stay in a straight line.
The second thing I noticed was that people treated me differently. Shop staff held doors open and I was met with several pitiful glances from passers-by.
"Poor lad" I could almost hear them thinking. Still, I suppose they meant well.
Then, as I struggled to manoeuvre my chair up a kerb outside Lloyds' High Street branch I inadvertently got in the way of a pedestrian, who grunted in annoyance.
Mark Carter, who suffers from a neurological condition which affects his limb movement, joined me on my tour of the town centre to point out some of the worst areas.
"I've been shouted at and called names," said the 39-year-old. "People have shouted 'spastic' at me. It is a small minority but you have to have a thick skin. Other people treat you as if you're an inconvenience."
Back to the tour around town. Within 15 minutes I was beginning to feel the burn in my arms and shoulders. I consider myself a relatively fit 29-year-old. What must it be like for people with conditions like Mark? As he pointed out, not all disabled people get electric wheelchairs on the NHS.
As we went along Bath Street I noticed I was constantly battling against the camber which led me towards the road. It was tough work. In the end I came off the pavement and had to continue my progress on the surface, then another steep curb drop almost spilt me out of my chair. The county council says it cannot always afford improvements to pavements. In the current climate of public sector budget cuts, you suspect things are going to get worse before they get better.
For the second part of the tour, we decided to head into some shops to see how they catered for wheelchair users.
First stop – Natwest Bank in the High Street. On arrival it became clear it was impossible to gain entrance without assistance as there was no disabled ramp. I rang the doorbell outside the building and waited for someone to come outside. Nothing happened.
In the end I had to ask a customer to go inside and ask the manager to come and explain the bank's policy. He duly emerged and told me the building was inaccessible to wheelchair users but we were welcome to use their other branch in the Promenade.
The bank has since sent a statement saying it was unable to install a disabled ramp because it is a listed building.
Next we went to Halifax, in Winchcombe Street, where we had no such problems getting in. However, it immediately became obvious there was no disabled counters so wheelchair users have to reach up to the counter like a child.
A helpful lady came over and explained there was a portable hand-pad on the wall which we could use to make transactions. It's a shame it was completely hidden from view. I couldn't understand why a disabled counter had not been installed in its refit two years ago.
Later, a Halifax spokesman said the number of interview rooms had increased and they allowed wheelchair users greater privacy to conduct their banking.
As we moved on to WH Smith, the curse of seasonal displays reared its head. With special offers everywhere the store was cramped and I had to wait long periods for people to get out of the way. The path to the lift at the back of the store was blocked with rolls of wrapping paper and empty cardboard boxes.
On the first floor, we were faced with a chicane to get to the counter. When we arrived there the passageway was so narrow we blocked the route. Some nodded patiently while one or two suppressed scowls.
A spokesman for WH Smith said it regularly liaised with disabled groups to improve access to the store.
My experience spending time in a wheelchair was an enlightening one. It has taught me that however well set-up for disabled people business owners think they are, there is always more they could – and should – do.
Clearly, it is not right that wheelchair users should feel guilty or an inconvenience to members of the public in any way.
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