Sorry over ramp

Pavilion bosses apologise over access

FED-UP visitors to Thornaby Pavilion have received an apology from council chiefs after an access ramp was out of action for a month.

The ramp allows wheelchair and disabled access to the first floor bowls club, gym, creche and nursery.

But contractors have closed the ramp for four weeks from January 12 to carry out work on the £1m revamp of the Pavilion, itself part of the £30m redevelopment of Thornaby Town Centre.

Council chiefs stress one of the benefits of the revamp will be improved access for people with mobility difficulties and disruption will be kept to a minimum.

The apology was given after David Powley, 57, from Thornaby complained the closure has stopped his wife Linda, 58, enjoying her Saturday night bowls club.

He explained: “My wife uses a wheelchair, how is she expected to walk up and down those stairs?

“There is a big chair lift in there, but it has never worked for months.

“You are supposed to have access for the disabled or it is breaking the law.
“A lot of disabled people and pensioners also use the gym. “And there’s the children’s nursery where people are having to carry buggies and bairns. “It’s totally ridiculous.” David Clements, from Guisborough, took some elderly friends from York to the Pavilion for bowling, only to find their access scuppered.

“They couldn’t get up - it’s three flights of stairs. Another of my friends took ill - and they couldn’t get him down.

“It’s daft - how can you use the stairs if you are in a wheelchair?”

Councillor Bob Cook, Stockton Council’s Cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: “Although we are doing all we can to keep any inconvenience to a minimum, some interruption has been unavoidable and we apologise to Pavilion users for this.

“Part of the work involves the installation of a new glazed lift at the Pavilion entrance which will improve access.

“We had hoped to have this installed and operating before work on the ramp began but regrettably this has not been possible.”

He added: “The Pavilion refurbishment will see the café extended and re-branded, the crèche and nursery modernised, changing rooms renovated and the existing access ramp significantly upgraded.


“As part of these works the Pavilion has already benefited from a refurbished bowling rink and a brand new 70 station gym which offers state of the art fitness equipment.These works complement the £30m redevelopment of Thornaby Town Centre which will be opened in the spring.”