A NEWLY appointed town councillor has highlighted concerns faced by users of mobility scooters.

Olwyn Dean, who was recently co-opted on to Northwich Town Council to represent the Belmont Ward, was speaking at the July meeting, on Monday, July 4.

Cllr Dean, who a mobility scooter herself, said the curb drops around the town where too high and far apart in places, meaning she and others had to take huge risks and manoeuvre into the road.

Northwich Guardian: The roundabout approaching Aldi is a cause for concernThe roundabout approaching Aldi is a cause for concern

She highlighted two particular danger spots, including the roundabout on the way to Aldi and B&Q   

“I go up and down various streets on my mobility scooter,” she said.

“And I regularly get stopped by other people on mobility scooter’s with complaints about dropped curbs not being in the right place, or having to go down roads.

“Another problem is that they are sometimes not opposite each other, so you get off one footpath and can’t get back on the one on the other side.

“I’ve contacted Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) about two particular areas of concern, including the roundabout by Aldi and also by B&Q, where people say they have to go into the road in order to get around.

“People are concerned about being run over with them both being busy junctions.”

Northwich Guardian: Cllr Olwyn Dean was recently co-opted on to the town councilCllr Olwyn Dean was recently co-opted on to the town council

Cllr Dean said CWAC have responded to her concerns saying that no funding is in place to rectify the two problem areas. However, she also highlighted the Department of Transport ‘Inclusive Mobility Guide’ (December 2021) which provides best practice guidance on accessing pedestrian and transport infrastructure.

“I felt it was important to bring this before the council,” she said.

“Because one of the important things is we have got so many new developments around here, we need to make sure they abide by these guidelines.

“This guidance suggests drop curbs in residential areas should only be 100 metres apart and the level of the drop should be same as the road surface.

“Unfortunately, a lot of developers just build what they think and not what they need.”

Northwich Guardian: Access to Northwich Retail Park has also been highlightedAccess to Northwich Retail Park has also been highlighted

The issue is one likely to be considered further by a new task force set up to review the Northwich Neighbourhood Plan.