Hi Sue
I'm sure that there is no duty to provide flush kerb access as you describe
just as there is no duty to provide crossovers for vehicles to access hard
standings or driveways. It is usually the responsibility of the homeowner to
apply and pay for such facilities(unless as part of a madatory or
discretionary disabled facilities grant.)
It would be reasonable as john said to provide flush kerb access to the
footpath for general communal benefit which is what we do and we have an
annual budget set aside to help facilitate this. The siting of these
communal access points also needs careful consideration if they are to be
safe and to reduce the risk of cars parking across them. (eg Position them
where there are double yellow lines if possible).
If you provide flush kerb access for one household, you would possibly have
a duty to provide them for all dwellings in a given street and this would
result in a very bumpy, uncomfortable, undulating pavement. And if there is
on-street parking allowed in a street the cars could be forced to park
across the flush kerbs because there would be no alternative. Enforcement
would be a nightmare. This is a possible scenario on some estates as the
residents get older.
It is unfortunate that people don't yet recognise access problems when
purchasing a home and only realise the shorcomings in their chosen location
as they get older and/or become disabled in some way . In the future this
will improve as people become more aware and as new more accessible housing
and environments are built.
Having said all this, there may well be occasions when it is reasonable to
provide flush kerb access for an individual. Each case on its merits I think
but with an eye to the possible implications of such actions.
I hope my ramblings make sense..... it's getting late...
Regards
Alan Hunt
Access Officer
Pembrokeshire County Council.
-----Original Message-----
From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of
Sue Fox
Sent: 11 May 2005 16:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Dropped kerb provision for disabled people
Your thoughts please..........
Do Local Authorities have any duty to provide a dropped kerb for disabled
people outside their dwelling? The kerb would be 900mm wide, and not for
vehicles.
Is this a reasonable adjustment under the DDA?
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