Re: Disabled folks and RoW

<turtill@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:2uodd4hep78pbp8sftc53ejclm2hf1c7nc@xxxxxxxxxx
On Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:15:09 +0100, "Burgerman"
<burgerman@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

<turtill@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message

OK now we get down to serious debate and for once I am not tired.
Literally thousands of crips use RoW but like many AB's they don't
realise it. Many routes in towns are RoW and as such these "Rights"
are public property.


I realise that and they already are accessible where sensible. Mostly.

When they are known about. In my town there is no DM and we only have
4 registered Footpaths and three of them are used as roads so wheelies
cannot use them without risking their lives.

Then dont use it.


RoW have far greater legal protection than roads
& streets but they have to be known about before they can be protected
and saved. I have spent 3 years fighting for RoW along Ipswich Dock to
be re-opened and on the 27th August a 10 foot wide route for walkers,
cyclists and wheelchair users was opened solely due to the fact I was
about to serve a S.137 HA summons upon the construction company and
make an application for a Judicial Review against the County Council.


Well done. You used the law to divert the limited funds that the council
need to help disabled people convert homes, and businesses, and reduced what
was available to fit ramps and other accessibility features in the very busy
areas where they would be of most benefit. Thats clever how exactly???

It comes out of a different budget altogether and in this case the
contractor paid.


There is only one budget. The money taken from the taxpayer at the end of the day and its both finite and restricted. We pay too much tax in this country already.



That route being open now allows crips to travel in wheelies from one
end of the waterfront a mile or so to the other end and I intend to
open it even further. This route is within the town and very close to
the town centre. I could have done this much earlier if I had the
knowledge needed when I started.

See above.


As it is I had to rely heavily upon
the Ramblers Association and the Open Spaces Society for advice but I
am getting there now and all this was done from a wheelchair.


Tell me, what difference exactly does that make??? I do countless things
from a wheelcvhair. It never crosses my mind!

You are pretty self sufficient but many others are not as fortunate.

I dont see the relevance of wasting money on countrywide rights of way then Use it to help the individuals or busy areas adapt to be more disabled freindly. Better use of that finite tax paxers cash.


Believe
me it gives me terrific satisfaction to see it being used by crips and
others now and this satisfaction is available to any crip who wants to
tidy up RoW in their own area instead of vegetating in front of a TV.


I am typing this from the pub on my laptop! Sat outside in the sun in a
wheelchair waiting for a meal with my girlfriend and German Shephard dog.
How exactly does a RoW. "problem" stop that and make me sit in front of a
tv?

As I said before you are pretty self sufficient. Many others are not
so fortunate.


Cannot see ANY relevance whatsoever.



The route around Ipswich Dock cost nothing to re-open.

Of course it does.
Even a single letter costs more than you think.
It has to have a paid employee (or several and a meeting or two) to reply.
It needs buildings, rent, tax, ink, printers, post costs, etc.
Never mind doing whatever needed doing to re-open it...

Big deal.

The deal is that the taxpayer, me! And all the others would rather make better use of the money. Its not free is it?


These are legal entities that already belong to
the public and not re-opening them costs money as roads have to take
more traffic because folks do not know how to walk/cycle to work

Why has the argument now changed from removing non disabled freindly
gates/styles/etc to walking and cycling (which is illegal anyway) on your
paths?
And whatever makes you think that people dont know how to walk or cycle (on
the road legally) just because a RoW isnt available?

Quite simply because I do this all the time I am able and I know of
many RoW that cannot be used by anybody. This is a worthwhile hobby to
find and register RoW. It is also the way to get unlawfully closed RoW
opened.


They get closed and it seems almost nobody cares apaet from you and a few like you. You want to open them not the masses and this was orriginally about removing styles and gates not the general able bodied public.



Again its in your head only.



and
instead they get out their cars and jam up already heavily congested
roads. Young folks grow up obese because they do not walk

No they grow up obese because they eat the wrong things and dont walk
anywhere. But the sad flaw in that argument is that there is nothing to stop
them walking on any pavement anywhere they wish already. RoW doesent even
enter into it.

Oh yes it does. If the RoW lead exactly where they want to go but it
is closed and the kids cannot be bothered to walk miles in a different
direction to eventually get to his destination.


Rubbish.
a) there are few of them that would make any difference!
b) going "the long way" is seldom the alternative anyway
c) if they had to then it makes them fitter!
d) most of their journeys are to many assorted places in wildly different directions where your rights of way are irrelivant...


????? Why cant they "get out"??? I am out NOW!

Yes but many others are not out and cannot get out.


Open door and wheel or walk. Turn left, or right. How hard was that? And not a RoW needed.


Many folks are
literally unable to get to places because Footpaths have been
unlawfully closed or not maintained.

Then do as the highway code says and use the road. Go towards oncoming traffic wear reflective bands at night. Although I have yet to see anywhere in any town or city where the vast majority of the population live where thats true. And making all the country roads and little villiages wheelchair freindly is never going to happen because of the sheer mileage of pavements needed compared to the few people that would benefit.

Sadly for you its time for that reasonable word again.

pete
http://www.oss.org.uk


.

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