COUNCILLOR ENSURES A CLEAR RUN INTO TOWN FOR SCOOTER USERS

3.41.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Aug 2006

Until recently disabled scooter users have been taking their lives into their hands travelling down Ellacombe Road into town on the road because there were no dropped curbs on the pavements in that area.

Local resident Mr Clifford Moore contacted his local Councillor, Cindy Stocks about this problem and she was able to have three dropped curbs laid at the 4-way junction of Ellacombe Road, Wellington Road and Waterloo Place.

Mr Moore said, " Scooter users were having to travel on the road from the junction with Hatfield Road to the top of Market Street because they could not access the pavements. I have seen a few near accidents, as car drivers have not expected to pass scooters on the road".

Christine Morton, Torquay Shopmobility co-ordinator had a test run of the route and said, ' these three dropped curbs have given scooter users from higher Ellacombe safe access into town.'

Councillor Cindy Stocks, who represents Ellacombe Ward on Torbay Council, said, " With more and more people using scooters these days the council must be mindful of its own Equality and Diversity policy in providing equal access to everyone. The dropped pavements also help mothers struggling with prams and pushchairs."