Complaints beaches in Ryde were inaccessible for people with mobility issues over the summer have led to a major bid for accessibility improvements.
Proposals to make a stretch of Ryde beach accessible to wheelchair users and people who struggle with mobility were seen at the Ryde Town Council meeting on Monday.
Following consultation with Isle Access and Unlimited Island, the town council is proposing key improvements including:
- The installation of a non-slip polyester mat — creating a route on the sand towards the sea
- Beach and water wheelchairs and beach walkers people would be able to hire
- Two accessible beach huts
- Wheelchair-friendly picnic tables
- Raised sunbeds
Further consultation with the Isle of Wight Council is needed, the town council says, to determine the exact location of the accessible stretch of beach.
To fund the improvements, Ryde Town Council has applied for £10,000 from a South Western Railway fund which promotes accessibility and inclusion projects.
The town council said the railway company favours applications which have match funding, so agreed at its meeting on Monday to either match the £10,000 or 30 per cent of the total cost.
If the latter is chosen, the town council said it would look for other partners to fund the project.
Mayor Michael Lilley said accessibility to beaches was something the council had wanted to achieve for a long time, so the potential grant funding would help do that.
Sandown Town Council, in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council and the Sandown Beach Lifeguards, has recently launched all-terrain wheelchairs.
The wheelchairs can be borrowed, for a £20 refundable deposit, and help people with mobility issues reach the sand and sea.
There are plans to expand the scheme next year.
PCC Urges People To Hand In Blades To Curb Knife Crime Epidemic
Isle Of Wight Council Signs Tobacco Control Declaration In Commitment To Smoke-Free Future
Hoarding Removed From Ryde Interchange To Reveal Smart Glazed Exterior
Levelling Up Minister Pays Visit To Isle Of Wight To Address £20m Ryde Investment Plans
HRH The Princess Royal Meets East Wight Primary School Children Learning To Sail In Seaview
Maritime Units Heading For Isle Of Wight Armed Forces Day
Funding Boost For Council Chairman's Chosen Charity
Medina Way Works In Place This Sunday
Islander Georgie To Star On BBC1's Great British Sewing Bee
Labour's West Wight Candidate Outlines Island Plan
Scam Warnings Issued For Isle Of Wight
Islanders Invited To Take Part In Charity Fire Walk For St Catherine’s
New Company To Bid For Digital Radio Licence On The Isle Of Wight
Police Respond To Anti-Social Behaviour Involving Electric Motorbikes In Puckpool
New Records Set Following ‘Extraordinary’ Walk The Wight
Appeal Launched Following Ryde Cashpoint Theft
Islanders Urged To Make Sure They're 'Emergency Ready'
Cast Your Vote For New Sea Defence Scheme To Win People's Choice Award
Operation Sceptre - A Number Of Surrender Bins Across Isle Of Wight
Man Jailed For Ryde Burglary And Knife Offences
