Disabled cry 'access' for Lynn arts centre
DISABLED people were in full voice outside Lynn Arts Centre on Tuesday complaining bitterly that plans for a lift to help them gain access had been put on ice.
West Norfolk Council agreed to spend more than 200,000 on making the venue wheelchair friendly in December after campaigners spent more than eight years fighting for a lift.
However, plans were then shelved and a review of the Grade I listed building's future was announced.
In the short term, the council is to buy a powered stair climber to operate from November, allowing "temporary and limited access" to the auditorium.
Co-ordinator of WNDiS, West Norfolk Disability Information Service, Mr Jonathan Toye, used a loud hailer to drum home the message that placard-waving members were not happy and that they wanted a lift, now.
"We were promised a lift by West Norfolk Council," Mr Toye told passers-by. "Now the council has decided it is not going to do it but have a review instead.
"Hundreds of people would like to get into the arts centre for concerts and films but they can't get in.
"What happens when you get older? You appreciate a little bit of help."
One of those demonstrating, Miss Sally-Anne Melton (50), of Leverington, near Wisbech, said those born disabled, or who had become disabled through accidents, could not help what had happened.
The protest, monitored by police, was the group's contribution to a week-long set of protests being organised by Norfolk Coalition of Disabled People.
West Norfolk Council cabinet member for sports, arts and open spaces Mrs Elizabeth Nockolds said the borough was committed to improving the accessibility of all its buildings, for all members of the public.
The lift proposal had been put on hold, she said, because it had been decided much more could be achieved through a "root and branch" review of key council-owned historic buildings.
"One of the aims of the review is to find out whether it is possible to create a fully-accessible performing arts space," said Mrs Nockolds.
It would, however, "not be sensible" to pre-judge the findings of the review by spending more than 200,000 on an external lift for the arts centre, which was a Grade I listed building.
Should the review conclude the lift should go ahead, the budget would still be available.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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