Labour Council fails older people in Crompton

Oldham Council have tried to offload the cost of accessibility improvements to the road at Hopwood Court onto the care provider for the accommodation – suggesting a much more expensive design that moves the changes on to private land rather than installing a simple dropped kerb. 

Residents approached Councill Louie Hamblett about improving access, requesting a dropped kerb on the road outside the facility where the current ramp comes out. After the Councillor approached the highways team, the Council instead proposed either an extensive new ramp from the care facility or a diversion of the existing ramp. 

Hopwood Court is one five extra care facilities that are manged by Housing 21 yet owned by Oldham Council. 

Cllr Hamblett was shocked by both the response, and the length of time it has taken tyo get an answer from Highways.

He said: “I simply asked if they could drop the kerb to road level for the ease of residents and visitors accessing to Hopwood Court either by ambulance, Age UK minibus or taxi. Highways eventual response was to suggest that the managers at Hopwood Court to divert their existing ramp (or build a new ramp in addition to the existing one) so that it falls in the other direction, or to the right where it would provide access to the small parking area which already benefits from dropped kerbs.”

While a new ramp would have some benefits, particularly for deliveries, a dropped kerb where there is already a ramp would be simpler, and directly address the problem, argued the Councillor. 

Ian, a resident of Hopwood Court, said: “It’s hard for us with bad knees or hips especially with a walker or frame having to go up these high kerbs or walk long distances. It would mean a lot it and make a lot of sense if the council just lowered the kerb by the ramp when we get out of the car or shuttle bus.”

Cllr Hamblett added: “I understand that budgets are strained. However, asking the care accommodation to move or build an additional ramp is really taking it to an extreme. I am talking to officers about using my Councillor ward budget instead, although I think this really is something that should be covered by Highways. I hope that in the not too distant future we will be able to resolve this issue, and find a way to fund this for all residents concerned.”