DISABILITY
ACTION GROUP
EAST PRESTON
In 2019 East Preston Parish Council refurbished the toilet block in the Village Hall car park and the Disability Action Group raised funds to provide equipment for a hoist assisted toilet with disabled access. We raised the money over three years by running quiz nights, stalls and tombolas at local events, and received donations from local businesses, organisations and individuals through our crowdfunding page. Unfortunately, the present door is rather heavy for an unaccompanied wheelchair user; the Parish Council is aware of our concerns and are currently seeking a solution.
An ongoing project is compiling a survey of East Preston, highlighting the problem areas that people with disabilities and mobility problems face regarding access and safety issues, e.g. uneven paths, insufficient or uneven dropped kerbs, paths with overhanging shrubbery, heavy doors making shops inaccessible and many other problems. If you have experienced any access or safety problems yourself please contact us.
REACH THE BEACH - Access for All
Many people in East Preston support our vision of having a walkway constructed at the end of Sea Road with a viewing platform/seating area, to enable those with mobility problems to enjoy the beach and sea views and improve access for all. Plans were originally drawn up in 2014 but rejected by Arun District Council at that time on the basis of insufficient structural information.
We are now looking at similar projects which have been successfully installed in other areas and are delighted that in 2022 an East Preston resident has become involved and has drawn up revised plans to take this project forward. We have written to our District and County Councillors seeking their support and are awaiting their response.
Thank you to all those who came along to the open meeting at the Village Hall in June and showed their support for this project. Roy Allen has set up a separate email address for anyone wishing to receive the latest information/newsletter. Please email: searoadbeachaccess@icloud.com
FUTURE PROJECTS
1. Road/Pavement Improvements: To identify improvements needed in the Village to ensure safety for the disabled and to liaise with the appropriate authorities.
2. Langmeads Field: To explore the possibility of installing a track around the
perimeter to make it more accessible/disabled friendly.
3. Access Survey: To update an access guide to shops and amenities in East Preston.
PLEASE CONTACT US IF YOU CAN HELP
OR COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR MEETINGS
Members working on street survey