East Lothian Courier | News | Battle site defeats disabled

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 4th September, 2008 08:20

Battle site defeats disabled

THE positioning of information boards at an historic Dunbar battle site was panned by community councillors, for failing to provide suitable disabled access.

At their August meeting, town leaders were told that two members of the East Lothian Access Panel had investigated disabled provision at the site of the Battle of Dunbar, at Doon Hill, and returned disappointed.

Information boards at the site – which is billed as a viable visitor destination for the disabled – had been positioned on the opposite side of a country gate which would be very difficult to squeeze a wheelchair through, members heard.

Paddi O’Brien, one of the East Lothian Access Panel members to climb Doon Hill, said: “We were told it was accessible for wheelchair users.

“When you arrive there is car park and a walk across a grassy area to a country gate or stile, which would be impossible to get a wheelchair through.”

And he added: “The information board is 50 yards away from the car park.

“Even if you were a little infirm you could get to it but it would be a struggle.

“Why they do not locate the information board closer to the car park is beyond me.”

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