Teenager from Heysham launches petition for better disabled access for people in the district

A teenager from Heysham with cerebral palsy has launched a petition calling for better disabled access in Morecambe and Lancaster.
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Jack Sowden, 13, a pupil at Carnforth High, is in a wheelchair and has launched his own online petition to make pavements, kerbs and all public parks wheelchair accessible to people in the local community.

Jack said: "In Morecambe every single road isn't wheelchair accessible and I have written to the council and they were actually quite reasonable but they said I had to go round Morecambe to identify every single road which isn't wheelchair accessible.

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"That is disgusting. It isn't because I hate the council and we've got into an argument but I'm doing it for wheelchair users.

Jack Sowden has problems navigating the pavements in Morecambe and would like them improving. Photo: Kelvin StuttardJack Sowden has problems navigating the pavements in Morecambe and would like them improving. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard
Jack Sowden has problems navigating the pavements in Morecambe and would like them improving. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard

"The drop kerbs are half a mile away from where they need to be and it can be inconvenient.

"I don't know what it's like to walk around. A lot of people are struggling to get up or down the drop kerbs.

"It's not just about access it's welfare as well. If you are going up a kerb and the back wheel gets stuck then there could be an emergency.

"The way they've treated me is awful.

Jack Sowden (13) who has launched a petition for better disabled access in Morecambe. Photo: Kelvin StuttardJack Sowden (13) who has launched a petition for better disabled access in Morecambe. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard
Jack Sowden (13) who has launched a petition for better disabled access in Morecambe. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard
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"I've written so many emails to the council that I'm fed up so I decided to set a petition up online.

"People will actually listen to me. I feel I'm unincluded because I can't get around like everyone else.

"They are not catering for disabled people.It's my human right to get safely across the road.

"I find it difficult but I do get out and it shouldn't matter but it is such hard work for me and it is something that people could solve and they are choosing not to."

Jack Sowden (13) with his mum Samantha Leyshon and brother Daniel has launched a petition for better disabled access in Morecambe. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard.Jack Sowden (13) with his mum Samantha Leyshon and brother Daniel has launched a petition for better disabled access in Morecambe. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard.
Jack Sowden (13) with his mum Samantha Leyshon and brother Daniel has launched a petition for better disabled access in Morecambe. Photo: Kelvin Stuttard.
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You can sign Jack's petition by visiting https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/wheelchair-access, which already has 349 signatures.

Jack has been working with MP David Morris who said: "‘My neighbour Jack is running a fantastic campaign on this issue and I was only too happy to help him contact his County Councillor to take his idea forward.

"County Councillor Andrew Gardiner is now taking Jack’s campaign up with Highway’s at County Hall to see what changes can be made."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council, said: "We try to provide dropped kerbs at appropriate crossing points, and have introduced new ones at a number of locations throughout Lancaster district over recent years in response to specific requests.

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"We keep a list of locations where people have requested dropped kerbs so that we can prioritise them as part of future programmes when resources are available, and would ask people to let us know if there is a place where having a dropped kerb would make their life easier.

"We're grateful for Jack contacting us with his requests. The budget for this year has already been allocated but we will inspect the locations he has put forward and consider them for next year's programme."

Jack and his friends and family have arranged a peaceful protest to highlight his disabled access campaign.

The protest will be starting at the clock tower in Morecambe on Saturday, August 1, at 1pm, then walking down to Morecambe town hall so everyone can make their voices heard.