Borsdane barrier blast
A councillor has blasted Wigan Metro for opening a beauty spot to motorbikes and horse-riders.
Jim Ellis, an independent representative for Hindley, claims that beautiful Borsdane Wood will be plagued by vehicles after the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust installed a new barrier allowing wheelchair users access to the popular spot.
Disabled rights campaigner John Gurhy celebrated his first trip to the wood three years after being diagnosed with Ataxia, a progressive disease that affects balance and co-ordination, around two weeks ago.
But Coun Ellis believes the new barrier, which provides sufficient space for a wheelchair or mobility scooter to pass it, may have been installed without enough forethought to the detriment of other users of the wood.
Coun Ellis said: "All that needed to happen was to make an alteration to the bank which would have allowed a wheelchair to turn around the barrier.
"What they have done is open a space that is big enough to fit a car through.
"Once certain people realise it there are going to be horses, motorbikes and even stolen cars turning up on the path.
"That is going to ruin the path so that disabled people and able-bodied people alike are not going to be able to use it.
"I support disabled access but if you are going to do something for them then let's do it so it doesn't impinge on everyone else.
"I just think that we are going to end up with a major problem."
Mr Gurhy's battle to gain access to Borsdane Wood came to a head when he attempted to take part in a recent Wigan Active Living Health Walk.
He could not get past the existing barrier and was forced to go home, much to his annoyance.
But, after complaining to Wigan Council, the new barrier was installed allowing wheelchair users access to the beauty spot.
A spokesman for the WLCT claims similar alterations have not had an adverse affect on similar sites.
The spokesperson said: "We have removed stiles and modified access points at other sites and this has not resulted in problems with off-road bikes.
"And there is no evidence to suggest that Borsdane Wood has experienced an increase in off-road bikes since access to the site was altered.
"Staff have been monitoring the situation and will continue to do so.
"Should we see an upsurge in this type of unsociable behaviour we will work with the police and council to put a stop to it through enforcement action which could result in a person having their vehicle seized and/or prosecuted.
"This was not a snap decision. It is a genuine attempt to allow everyone to enjoy Borsdane Wood."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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