Pembroke to be more accessible

Saturday 02 May 2020

Work has begun to make the slipway at Pembroke more accessible for people with disabilities, as well as those with pushchairs and others who have difficulty using steps.

The worn steps are being filled in to make a continuous concrete ramp up to the centre of the slipway.

It'll be slightly ridged to prevent beach users from slipping.

Pembroke has one of the very few slipways around the island that is shallow enough for beach wheelchairs, which use ballooned wheels to move across the sand. A scheme was launched recently to fund the specialist equipment so wheelchair users could reconnect with one of the best aspects of island life, but it was suggested Pembroke slipway repairs had to be carried before this would be possible.

Pictured: Beach wheelchairs.

Guernsey Wooden Spoon and St John Ambulance, who are working together to raise the £16,000 to buy two beach wheelchairs, are also asking that a locked storage hut is placed at the top of the slipway, to store them.

Once the scheme is established, the chairs will be available year round for use by visitors and locals alike.

"I'm delighted that Pembroke slipway will be available for use for anyone who wants to use a beach wheelchair," said the States Disability Champion, Deputy Sarah Hansmann-Rouxel. "Everyone living in Guernsey should be able to enjoy a day at the beach with their friends and family and I very much hope that Guernsey Wooden Spoon's fundraising for beach wheelchairs for Pembroke is successful."

Anyone interested in helping to fundraise for the scheme can contact Karen Solway from Guernsey Wooden Spoon at guernsey@woodenspoon.org.uk or by calling 07911 741097.

Pictured top: Pembroke Bay.