NEW facilities to support disabled people to access beaches and surrounding areas in Bude, provided through an innovative partnership between Cornwall Council and local families of disabled children, were opened at a ceremony on Wednesday.
The project has been led by the Council's children's services authority and the environment service.
The facilities include a new ramp and railing at Widemouth Bay to provide wheelchair access onto the beach, two accessible beach huts, new sand chairs to support access to the sand and the sea, a Changing Places facility at Summerleaze beach and a wheelchair tandem bike which can be hired from the local cycle hire shop.
Four accessible bikes have also been purchased for use on the Camel Trail.
The £124,500 funding for the new facilities has come from the Council's capital funds through the national programme of Aiming High for Disabled Children project.
The facilities, all of which are available to the public, have been designed in partnership with local families who have disabled children, around 10 of whom took part in the launch.
They were joined at the event by Jack Cordery, the Head of Children's Social Work & Psychology Services, Cornwall Councillors and families.
"I cannot emphasise enough the importance of this development for disabled children and adults in Cornwall," said Mr Cordery. "Cornwall has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and they should be accessible to everyone, regardless of disability. Along with Changing Places, this development is part of the Council's commitment to disabled children and their families."
"Our beaches are one of our most precious assets," added Malcolm Bell, Head of VisitCornwall. "They are also a core facility for local people and it is important that they are accessible to all in our community, as well as to all our visitors. It will make a real difference to those who have been unable to fully enjoy Widemouth Bay beach."
Cornwall Parent Carer Council has been involved with the design and evaluation of the new facilities.
Chair Kay Henry said: "As parents of children with disabilities we wish them to have the same opportunities as their peers, these facilities will enable them to achieve this."
"The access ramp at Widemouth Bay will make a great difference," added John, a paraplegic surfer. "Previously I needed the good will of others to gain access but can now gain greater independence. Thank you."
"My daughter was born with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy and didn't walk until she was three and a half so we never thought she would be able to cycle," said Julie Stych. "But last summer at the age of 8 she was given the great opportunity to try an adapted tricycle on the Camel Trail at Wadebridge. I will never forget her little face light up and her saying Mummy, I'm doing it, I'm doing it! I cried tears of joy that day just because another milestone of childhood was reached thanks to that opportunity."
"Our beaches are very special" said Nigel Pearce, Cornwall Councillor for Bude. "I am very pleased that this is a step closer to them being accessible to everyone."
Changing Places are fully accessible toilets which contain additional features and more space to meet the needs of people with disabilities. There are now 11 Changing Places facilities across Cornwall - making the Council one of the best authorities for providing special changing facilities for disabled people.
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