Sam Braken, Kendal Safety Officer for SLDC, has decreed that the bench that stands here for older people to wait for a taxi, should be removed.
Why?
Because someone bumped into it and complained.
Some Councillors to their credit have complained to the Market Manager , but will they have the perseverance to take it further or will they lie down and play dead?
SLDC have a record for being totally unreasonable regarding Health and Safety.
Any suggestion of a risk and they ban the activity.
This is totally different to Barrow Borough Council who have come to the view that people do not in fact sue and Councils do not lose cases.
Richard Hennah of Barrow has pioneered skateboarding in Barrow whereas Richard Foster of SLDC is overcautious. The latter will not allow kids to bring their boxes into parks to practice their skateboard tricks in case they hurt themselves.
What happens in Ulverston? - The kids are left to practice in potentially dangerous places like Car Parks and the parade on Central Drive, Croftlands.
It's been a real battle for this Health and Safety attitude to be resisted and a stronger stand needs to be made.
16 comments:
There's a taxi rank just up the road from there with benches can't they wait there??
Sorry but regarding the skateboarders sldc are doing something about it.If you venture down to lightburn park you'll see contractors are busy building a skateboard park
Health and Safety !! It will kill us all I tell you!!
I gather that you're new to this blog!
Why has it taken such a fight to get this facility for the kids?
Why has the start been delayed so long?
Why is Ulverston one of the last towns with places like this when we have some of the leading exponents living and having been to school here - about 15 years ago?
Will there be other small skateboard pads in other parts of Ulverston?
We can't expect responsible parents to allow their young children to go a long way from home to Lightburn, can we?
I can see that Ill have to be careful how I reply to comments - we could have some strange misconnected conversations.
To Benches/Taxi Rank:
Is the seating in the warm and out of the rain?
Suitable distance for old or disabled people?
Why have a taxi rank if it's not used,is there a place for taxi's to stop outside the market hall without blocking the road like they do??
The only way to pick up at the Market Hall IS to block the road .There is a space marked Keep Clear but this is usually blocked by inconsiderate people. Many elderly people cannot walk to the taxi rank with shopping. We are talking about people in their 80's and 90's so have a bit of consideration .
I've just had a chat with Sam Bracken who made the decision that this bench had to go.
"It was impeding the escape from the building in case of fire."
He is reviewing his decision and is willing to come and discuss his decision on site with me.
The next step would be to get another officer from say Barrow to see whether he agrees.
An email from Mr Bracken will follow!
"It was impeding the escape from the building in case of fire."
What utter rot. Padlocked fire doors impede escape from burning buildings. Benches placed near entrances do not.
When was the last time anyone heard of a bench causing deaths in the event of fire? We'll be removing the door itself next, closely followed by the walls.
You'll be glad to hear that the bench is to be reinstated as a result of my inquiries.
Common sense has prevailed.
Good work Geoff - there are several pensioners who will be extremely grateful.
I was surprised what wonders you could achieve by just saying that you were a candidate for County Councillor!
This is the reason you won't see more skateboard ramps around ulverston,walked past lightburn park and the kids have moved the railing and were on the ramps.The thig is tho they weren't on skateboards but there using the ramps for there bikes,won't be long and the council will take it out of action due to damage caused to it
Hopefully access to bikes will be made impossible ( very difficult!).
Have forwarded your comment to Tom Bowden of Working Class Heros.
What is wrong with bikes?
You're right Tom.
This email from John Scott:
hi geoff,
the ramp is designed for bikes as well as skateboards and rollerblades etc.
regards
john
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