[Brighton] Petition to help disabled people have access to the beach

Triggaaar · Sep 11, 2018

We're lucky to live near the sea, but many disabled people can't get to it as there's no disabled access. Please have a look at this, and sign if you're so inclined:

https://phantom.brighton-hove.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?Id=601

It reads:

"Beach and seafront access petition
We the undersigned petition Brighton & Hove Council to improve access to the city’s beach for all disabled people and those with access needs, including children, elderly people and people using mobility equipment.
Many local residents cannot equally access the seafront, the beach and the sea as current beach access is not adequate for people with a wide range of needs and impairments.

We have sent people to the moon, but cannot enable all people to get down into our sea.

Improved access will also support the reputation of Brighton & Hove as a forward-thinking and inclusive tourist destination."

Thanks

AmexRuislip · Sep 11, 2018

darkwolf666 · Sep 11, 2018

I know this is all well meaning, but where does it stop - I am expecting a disability lift or ramp to be put into my local lighthouse real soon!

Oh, and I look after 3 disabled children...

Herr Tubthumper · Sep 11, 2018

Done. Stuff like this is important.

Eeyore · Sep 11, 2018

darkwolf666 said:
I know this is all well meaning, but where does it stop - I am expecting a disability lift or ramp to be put into my local lighthouse real soon!

Oh, and I look after 3 disabled children...

I'm not sure that exploring ways of enabling people with disabilities to access the beach with more comfort comes in the 'but where does it stop ?' category.

Triggaaar · Sep 11, 2018

Mustafa said:
Nice. Definitely support this.

Wish the petition would specify what it has in mind though.

Yes, I probably need to do some research and see what solutions the rest of the world have come up with (probably nothing).

B&H council already provides beach wheelchairs.

I don't think they're particularly useful. Some kind of ramp would be good, but I don't know how. Hopefully a smart engineer can come up with something.

Triggaaar · Sep 11, 2018

darkwolf666 said:
I know this is all well meaning, but where does it stop - I am expecting a disability lift or ramp to be put into my local lighthouse real soon!

Do you think access to the beach is about as important as access to the local lighthouse?

The Clamp · Sep 11, 2018

Triggaaar said:
Yes, I probably need to do some research and see what solutions the rest of the world have come up with (probably nothing).

I don't think they're particularly useful. Some kind of ramp would be good, but I don't know how. Hopefully a smart engineer can come up with something.

Boardwalks. The same as they have done here in Shoreham. Very simple.

Pogue Mahone · Sep 11, 2018

I have signed.

Surely some of the proposed finance would go towards beach wheelchairs? we have quite a few ramps down to the beach - it's the stones that cause the problem.

darkwolf666 · Sep 11, 2018

Triggaaar said:
Do you think access to the beach is about as important as access to the local lighthouse?

No, I was being flippant. I was trying to demonstrate, in a poor way, that not everything is accessible to everyone as it could be. Unfortunately when Mother Nature designed beaches she clearly didn’t take into account those less able.

beorhthelm · Sep 11, 2018

bit confused what the expectation is here, there are ramps down to the beach front. pebble beaches aren't especially easy surfaces for able bodied once the level drops off as it does at Brighton. boarded over areas, terraces etc?

darkwolf666 · Sep 11, 2018

Brighton Lines said:
I'm not sure that exploring ways of enabling people with disabilities to access the beach with more comfort comes in the 'but where does it stop ?' category.

I know, but how? Logistically and financially I can’t see how this can be achieved. It would be nice to know what ideas the petitioners have in mind...

I have been looking further at this and there are several disabled access beaches, but as far as I can see they are all sandy beaches, with shallow gradients to the sea, which couldn’t be further from Brighton’s geology.

clapham_gull · Sep 11, 2018

darkwolf666 said:
No, I was being flippant. I was trying to demonstrate, in a poor way, that not everything is accessible to everyone as it could be. Unfortunately when Mother Nature designed beaches she clearly didn’t take into account those less able.

However, I've just come back from Formentara which is Beach Heaven. On one the main "town beaches" was very encouraged to see people in wheelchairs enjoying the beach. Just some ramps downs.

Finance shouldn't be a consideration unless it is very difficult technically. Some people need steps, others need ramps.

darkwolf666 · Sep 11, 2018

clapham_gull said:
However, I've just come back from Formentara which is Beach Heaven. On one the main "town beaches" was very encouraged to see people in wheelchairs enjoying the beach. Just some ramps downs.

Finance shouldn't be a consideration unless it is very difficult technically. Some people need steps, others need ramps.

Access to the seafront is one thing, and yes disabled access should be improved, but access to the sea is a different kettle of fish (excuse pun).

pastafarian · Sep 11, 2018

Triggaaar said:
Yes, I probably need to do some research and see what solutions the rest of the world have come up with (probably nothing).

I don't think they're particularly useful. Some kind of ramp would be good, but I don't know how. Hopefully a smart engineer can come up with something.

Sure i saw something recently on the news or in the press about wheelchairs that have been designed for pebble beach access in mind.
Cant remember where sorry, but they did look like a fantastic aid for those that cant get to the front of the beach......ie sea

Lindfield by the Pond · Sep 11, 2018

Westdene Seagull · Sep 11, 2018

Done with pleasure.

Questions · Sep 11, 2018

Triggaaar said:
Do you think access to the beach is about as important as access to the local lighthouse?

Depends if you are the lighthouse keeper. Would they employ someone disabled to be a lighthouse keeper ? No...Bloody discrimination again. What am I talking about ? No idea whatsoever.

Husty · Sep 11, 2018

As others have said, please explain what precisely you'd like to see them do here?

clapham_gull · Sep 11, 2018

Husty said:
As others have said, please explain what precisely you'd like to see them do here?

I'd imagine make the beach as accessible as possible to a person in a wheelchair.

I often describe people in wheelchairs as "invisible". You very very rarely see them, but then you realise you are somewhere they can't get. London particularly difficult obviously, Ever tried getting on the tube in a wheelchair ?

Just needs the will.

Again, amazed in Formentara. Can't get there by plane. but you can get a wheelchair on the beach.

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