Wheelchair friendly equipment for Newbury's Victoria Park

Town council to officially open swing today (Tuesday)

DISABLED people will be able to enjoy new play equipment in Victoria Park from today (Tuesday).

A wheelchair-friendly swing will be installed in the park, along with a four-seater toddler seesaw.

Town and district ward councillor for Victoria, James Fredrickson, secured funding to buy and install the equipment through a West Berkshire Council member’s bid, which said the new swing would ensure that children with limited mobility were not excluded from enjoying Victoria Park with their friends.

The town council said that the Victoria Park play area was well used throughout the year, yet some of the attractions have been unsuitable for people in wheelchairs.

The wheelchair swing has a hinged platform that allows easy access and, once loaded, latches securely to ensure the wheelchair is held in place on the platform. There are two suspended grab-handles where the child can swing themselves or be assisted by a parent.

Mr Fredrickson said: “Victoria Park is heavily used by all age groups, so we are very excited to be able to offer this new play equipment for children that use wheelchairs”.

The new equipment will be unveiled by the mayor of Newbury at noon.