Ian McCartney MP

Jackie Doyle has been disabled for some years now and relies on a scooter to get out and about. Jackie loves going shopping, especially to the local shops. However she found the journey from her house to the town centre increasingly difficult due to footway kerbs being too high, so getting her scooter from the road on to the pavement was a health and safety issue.

When Ian McCartney’s newsletter came through her door asking if there was anything he could do to help local people she contacted him and local Councillor Nigel Ash to see if they could do anything to make her journey into Ashton Town centre easier and safer by lowering the kerbs.

Jackie takes up the story, “Councillor Ash suggested I should fill in the form and send it back to Ian. I did not expect to hear any more once I had posted it. However, it wasn’t long before I received a visit from a Council official. He was very sympathetic and I showed him how difficult it was for a person in a wheelchair to access the town centre. I was delighted when the Council very quickly not only lowered all the kerbs that were preventing me from getting into Ashton but others in the area."

“This simple action has meant so much to me and others like me who have to use a wheelchair to get about. It has given me more freedom and choice of places I can visit. I would like to thank Mr McCartney and Councillor Ash for what they have done for me.”

Ian McCartney said, "I was very happy to help Jackie with this matter. I know that getting out and about can be a major issue for wheelchair users so dropped kerbs can make a big difference in their quality of life.”

Cllr Nigel Ash said, “The council continues to make good progress on assisting access for the disabled. I was delighted by their quick response which will help many disabled members of the local community get out and about in Ashton.”

Ian is pictured with Cllr Nigel Ash and Jackie Doyle - Page 14 Wigan Evening Post 29th Jan 2009.