Local Planning is not fit for purpose: An open letter to local party leaders.
Dear Party Leaders,
I originally penned this letter as a blog with an entirely different tone, and it was hypercritical of The New Mercury Theatre. However, it didn’t appeal to my sense of fair play and to kick an industry when it is down, so re-wrote and adjusted my target. Although they should be part of the conversation, it would seem lack of foresight from the Mercury Theatre and all those involved have let a lot of residents down, there is a failsafe in place, and on this occasion, it has also failed.
The issue
The new groundworks and pavements surrounding the Theatre do not have any dropped kerbs!
Once you enter via St Mary’s the whole surroundings do have quite high kerbs, you would have to push a wheelchair or pushchair into the road and go quite a distance to find an opportunity to get onto the forecourt of the theatre.
This may seem like just a minor problem and inconvenience to the physically able (from an ableists point of view). However, to carers and those who do have mobility issues, this is a barrier to access. Fair access to Colchester some may say.
I mean, with all the money spent and countless eyes on this. How could it be missed?
There was supposed to be something, as it marked up on the plans. I guess something must have happened? (Hope they don’t miss the fairy lights as well!)
I also checked and took photographs of the area.
The solution
Well apart from the obvious of dropping the kerbs. Everything that is planned in Colchester, must have people with mobility issues in mind. I have lost count of the many hair-brained schemes that the usual protagonists come up with every now and then, that always seem to favour the able.
During the last census in 2011 Colchester recorded 18% of its residents registered as disabled. This is 2% above the national average of 16%.
It seems that the planning committee was not fit for purpose on this point. They potentially need to have additional support from a qualified member of the public or an officer, who are there to ensure that these things are not overlooked again in the future.
To be fair, you could just drive lots of vehicles down and unload with ramps to deliver and collect patrons every performance. (Channelling an ableist) However, maybe this is not the best use of Church Street, and I’m sure residents and the businesses would agree.
We can also knock down Jumbo and create an additional 10 spaces for disability vehicles!
The ridiculous statement above also carries the same energy as some of the stupidist ableist views around this issue.
Conclusion
The current state is not inclusive for people who have mobility issues, and this needs resolving. I am also surprised that this has not been picked up before.
So all you faces and people in authority you know what I am like, so please be better and do better. Choose the path of least resistance as you will absolutely not win on this issue.
I look forward to remedial works being carried out and a more inclusive Mercury Theatre to continue its excellent legacy, which is serving ALL of the community.
