Work to improve wheelchair accessibility in the town centre will be taking place next month following feedback from a local resident.

Nic Frances said how proud she was of the many improvements in our town centre in recent years, and that she enjoyed visiting with her elderly mother who uses a wheelchair. However, she highlighted one concern about the ramped pedestrian exit from The Seam car park into Regent Street.

It includes a drainage gully which Nic said made it difficult for people using wheelchairs to get from the disabled parking bays into the town centre.

Nic said it was especially difficult for wheelchair users on their own, although she struggled even when pushing her mum. She said she was grateful that strangers often helped her get her mum across the gully, but hoped a more permanent solution could be found.

Cllr James Higginbottom, Cabinet Spokesperson for Environment and Highways, said: “I’m grateful that Nic has drawn attention to this issue which I was not aware of. I walk this route quite regularly and it isn’t obvious at first glance that this would cause an issue for wheelchairs.

“I’ve now been in touch with our parking and highways teams, and I’m pleased that work will be taking place in April to improve this ramp.

“We’re very proud of our town centre and the wider borough. We want people to visit Barnsley and enjoy unforgettable days, have fantastic experiences and create magical memories. There’s so much for you to visit and explore. It’s essential that people of all levels of mobility are able to do. We’ve listened to Nic’s concern and thankfully we’ve been able to find a solution.

“I’d urge anyone to visit barnsley.gov.uk/contact-us if they identify an accessibility problem in a public place in Barnsley.”