The Gurn supports the efforts to enable better access to the Firhall Bridge. A recent post has encouraged some debate on the issue, most of it supportive. Anyone showing an interest in this worthwhile project may like to read a copy of the consultant's report for themselves. Your chance to see just exactly what is involved in bringing about this important project. The document is over four megabytes and might take a few moments to download.
A Gurn from Nurn - News, opinion and pictures from sunny Nairnshire - keep in touch, bookmark the Gurn
8 comments:
Qoute - " to achieve full DDA compliance on accessability would require demolition with £250.000 for a new replacement"
Well there we are then, In the previous post on this subject Murd is demonstrating the use of a wheelchair on Firhill bridge.
Clearly if his wish to adapt the current structure for wheelchair accessability then clearly it is not possible.
Any other methods would only give partial access to other groups rather than wheelchair users so would therefore be discrimanatory.
Building a couple of ramps both sides so bikes and buggy use is made easier, unfortunatly is't an option.
The ability for a wheelchair user to use the facility safely by themselves as well as other less able groups has to be the primary consideration.
The report clearly shows implications for adapting the current structure, such as providing steps as well as a ramp, ramp length at a min of 1:20, turning places at landings, minimum widths.
BS 8300 is the statutory code of practice for such works.
I wonder if I could get a job being a consultant to consultants who publish large word format documents on line that not every computer user can read without difficulty? PDF printed for screen resolution?! Oops, gave my consultancy fee away
Back to the bridge... very positive that some action may be taken, but don't we need a consultant down there with a clipboard to measure just how many wheelchair users reach this point?
Also great to adhere to guidelines but I'm sure people could see others on the bridge and think I'll wait till they've crossed, before they attempt the journey and therefore not need a passing point.
Or perhaps like Nairn High Street it could all be one way
Many people who walk around Nairn will know that some kindly people have built bridges of there own initiative in certain places
These do not adhere to regulations but where built with gash timber and provide good cheap bridges
How is it that it always goes so wrong when officialdom enters the scene?
A small crew with some timber could sort out the Firhall Bridge in a couple of days, instead we have consultants, consultation, huge expense, and nothing getting done
We'll see anon. There's a lot of folk want this and the £250K is just one of a list of options that the consultants put forward.
We're not after a perfect world scenario here, if anything else is discriminatory that what is the bridge in its present state?
The Gurn invites commentators to put their names to posts on this subject. Thank you.
It was the Gurn that put it on line as far as we know it isn't available anywhere else on the web.
Perhaps if Gurn HQ has a moment or two we will save that as a PDF and put it up again. Word just isn't so cool for downloads.
The PDF converter is on Mrs Gurnmeister's machine and she needs it today :-)
http://www.freepdfconvert.com/
More consultancy fees lost, must stop doing these free community jobs
Report now in PDF format and almost 75% smaller for downloading. :-)
Comment in from Murd to follow...
Well the picture shown in the other Gurn post clearly shows that you can move a wheelchair on the bridge footpath surface even given it’s present narrow condition. If the disused pipe were removed on the footpath this would increase the width considerably and there would be no need to raise this surface as suggested in the report. Thus a ramp would only have to be built to a height of 1.5m and would only need a length of 18m.
I would personally like to see the ramp built of galvanised steel with an open grated surface. This would ensure a longer life span for the ramp and reduce maintenance costs and should there ever be a flood situation in this area then the water would rise through the grated surface unhindered. In relation to two wheel chairs passing, this could be achieved by allowing the top ramp platform on either side to be of sufficient width.
Thanks to everyone who has supported this project so far.
I would like to inform anonymous there was no trick photography when I demonstrated that it is possible to take a wheelchair across with only 700 mm footpath. But I'm willing to meet anonymous and any other doubters at the bridge and give another demonstration. Please supply name and convenient time and I will gladly make the effort to meet all doubters.
Post a Comment