Disabled man wins access battle
The path has finally been cleared for a disabled man to enjoy outings along Wigan's canal banks – thanks to the Wigan Evening Post.
John Gurhy spent a year trying to gain access to some of the borough's most scenic walk-ways after first finding his way blocked by series of steel barriers aimed at stopping vehicles such as motorbikes from using canal tow paths across Wigan.
The 53-year-old was diagnosed with Ataxia, a progressive condition that affects balance and co-ordination, two-years-ago and uses a motorised mobility scooter to get about.
But he has found himself increasingly frustrated as his condition develops.
Mr Gurhy said: "A few years ago I didn't care that a guy in a wheelchair couldn't get on a bus.
"That might sound mercenary and unfair but I didn't.
"I can see now that it was wrong not to care about the guy in the wheelchair in years gone past."
A keen bird watcher, Mr Gurhy, of Warrington Road, Abram, has always enjoyed walking along the tow paths.
But he was surprised to find a steel barrier blocking his route to Bamfurlong Bridge.
Unable to get his mobility scooter past it, he contacted British Waterways, the body responsible for managing the UK's canal system, and was told it would send him a key allowing to unlock barriers in the town.
But Mr Gurhy was foiled at the first hurdle – the key simply did not work.
He said: "I just wanted to be able to get down the canal bank with my little truck but I was being blocked from doing so."
Frustrated, Mr Gurhy, a former lecturer and pit medic, went back to British Waterways and was told a second key would be sent to him.
A year later it hadn't arriveed but, after a phone call from the Wigan Evening Post, British Waterways hand-delivered the new key to Mr Gurhy.
However, Mr Gurhy is still angry.
He said: "It is infuriating that I am getting a response like this now because they have had a telephone call from your paper.
"If they had not had that telephone call they may well still be yanking my chain."
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Weather for Wigan
Thursday 02 September 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
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