This page is dedicated to the actions and events of the Stone branch of the Access Group

Stafford post 6/3/08

Picture: Stafford Access Group stone branch members who are pleased with new diabled friendly paths in Stone near Stafford. J-r Richard Stevens Member, Derek Boult Chairman and Sue Mason Committee Member.

A Stafford Borough access group is celebrating another victory – after pathways around picturesque Stone were resurfaced for disabled users.

Canal towpaths and walkways across WestbridgePark are currently under refurbishment.  When completed they will offer wheelchair and scooter users easy access to certain parts of Stone for the first time.

The cash for the work came from Advantage West Midlands (AWM), the agency responsible for working to improve the local economy. Stone Access Group were called in to assist after they were contacted by the Stone Market Town initiative, which had successfully bid for the cash.

The town’s initiative group was keen to use some of the £500,000 they were given by AWM to make Stone more accessible.

Tim Scott, project co-ordinator for the Stone Market Town initiative, said the improvements were only part of a vast scheme of work being carried out around the town centre and canal.  But he stressed the resurfacing had been essential.

“We recognise that it was very important to make the canal and the town much more accessible for disabled people,. So when we were planning this work programme, we consulted with a lot of groups, and we knew the access group would be definitely on the list.”

Mr Scott said the group, which campaigns for better access for those with mobility problems, had played an important role in the scheme.

“We went to them and said, ‘that do you want?’. We listened to their ideas, made some changes, and I know they are very happy with what we’ve done.”

A total of 750m of towpath has been resurfaced with asphalt and resin bound gravel. Stretches from the bottom of Westbridge Park right up, and under, the Station road bridge have been replaced as part of the works, as has the path from Star Lock to WorkhouseBridge, and Workhouse Lane to Crown Street.  There are also two ‘easy access’ points from the town to the canal.

Derek Boult, chairman of Stone Access Group, told the Post: “What this is going to mean is that for the first time we are going to have really good, smooth footpaths across WestbridgePark and the canal area.”

The redevelopment of the town is being carried out by British Waterways and local firm Groundwork Stoke-on-Trent.

Staffordshire newsletter Thursday march 13 2008

Strollers in stone don’t need to get their feet dirty while enjoying the outdoors , with the completion of a new path.
Work on the £5,000 footpath in Crown Meadow, linking the recently installed canal footbridge with the towpath, began last week.

The development is aimed at helping people with mobility difficulties to appreciate a wild flower meadow being planned for the area.

Town councillor Jill Hood said people had been taking a short cut through the meadow a long the route of the path for some time.

She added: “We realised that the path that was being created by people walking through there was not very disabled friendly.   “The new path looks beautiful and it will give everybody the chance to enjoy he wild flower meadow.”