Anger after church told to remove 'nuisance' ramp

Reverend Sheila Bawden standing in front of the offending ramp

Cornwall Council has been accused of being "too silly for words" after telling a church a makeshift ramp used for disabled access was an "obstruction".

In a letter to St Bartholomew's Church in Lostwithiel, Cornwall Highways said a wooden sleeper on the kerb was "considered to be a significant obstruction to highway users" and demanded its removal.

The church said the ramp had been on Church Lane for more than 30 years to allow access for people with disabilities.

Cornwall Council said it had to act on potential issues but it would not be taking "immediate action".

'Gives us access'

Reverend Sheila Bawden said the language in the council's initial letter was "absolutely appalling", adding: "Don't you think they should have come and discussed it with the church first?"

The ramp outside the church is located just off the kerbstones and has worn down to a few inches in height.

In the letter, seen by the BBC, the authority said: "Cornwall Council has the power to remove objects from the highway which are causing an obstruction or nuisance and to recover any expenses incurred."

Ms Bawden said the ramp was used by people in wheelchairs, people with walkers and undertakers carrying coffins on a trolley.

"If we remove it all these people cannot access the church," she said.

"It's the other side of double yellow lines so nobody should be parking here."

Simon Brewer said the council's letter was "too silly for words"

Simon Brewer is the captain of the bell ringers at St Bart's and he uses a mobility scooter.

"I think it's too silly for words," he said.

"I expect a little scallywag has been going around with a bit of paper and wanted to take up a bit of wood.

"It'll stop people, like myself with my scooter, coming in to church.

"I've never heard anything so ridiculous in my life."

Chris Hoddinott has a mobility scooter and also uses the ramp to get into St Bart's.

"This church is open to everyone for lots of different reasons, we celebrate all sorts of things and that piece of wood gives us access," she said.

Shelia Hanson also uses a mobility scooter and said she would not be able to worship at the church or attend choir without the ramp.

Sheila Hanson said she would not be able to sing in the choir without the ramp

Cornwall Council said it had a responsibility to the users of the highway and it had to act on issues identified as potentially hazardous.

"We will look at the options for how we can support the church to improve access," it said.

"In the meantime, while we will not be taking any immediate action on this matter, we have reminded the church of their liabilities should any accidents occur relating to the temporary ramp."