PeanutBean

So after 3 months of trying to get my council to talk to me about our local recreation ground (they're supposed to respond in 5 days) and them even having lied on their records that they'd spoken with me (no missed calls on either phone, no message this whole time) they finally called me today.

The problem: access to the ground is on my street but there is only a narrow space between metal fencing that you can't get a pram through. Not even the smallest of buggies.

I knew they would say this but I'm still very angry. They've told me it won't be widened to fit a pram because they want to keep out motorbikes. They then said there is a wider access elsewhere I could get a pram through. This wider access is about a mile away from me round the opposite side of the grounds and along main a very busy main road into the city. It is also wide enough to fit a motorbike down. Is it me or does this not make sense? So I'm expected to walk a mile of busy road with two dogs and a pram to access my local grounds, all because they block my entrance while the illegal motorbike users can just drive in anyway?

I pulled my trump card by pointing out that it's also not wide enough to fit a wheelchair through (no-one gives a shit about women with prams but it's against the law to discriminate against wheelchair users). I suggested it would be discriminatory to keep it this way. The guy said he'd look into that. He was defensive from the outset before I had even said anything other than hello and yes I am me. He was pretty rude to me too.

Am I being unreasonable? I'm thinking of writing either to the local paper or to the councillor (or both). Anyone had any experience of battling with the council about such things? I'm not sure where to make my next move...

JayleighAnn

I think that if it means a lot to you, and your clearly not getting the right answer, write to your local MP as he/she is above the council.

My best friend was left in a hostel for 11months with a 1yr old, and after months and months of false promises of being a flat up in a month or two, she rang our local MP, one month later, she was finally given somewhere to live.

PeanutBean

It's just such a small thing. There is no logical reason to keep the entrance so narrow when bikes can get on anyway, so why should I be expected to walk all that way with a pram? One of my dogs has the worst arthritis so he wouldn't be able to do that anyway. I literally don't know how I will be able to walk my dogs when the baby comes. It's not like I can leave the baby at home!

CareBear

I don't think you are being unreasonable, definatly write to your local MP cause you shouldn't have to walk that far and as you said is discrimation if wheelchair users can't get through. Seems very illogical if motorbikes can get through the other end why have one end blocked? Hope you get it sorted!

PeanutBean

I should look into writing to my MP I guess. I don;t know who it is, there's not been an election since we moved here! lol

Arcanegirl

Google thats how i found mine lol

melbo

get your butt on the phone to the papers, the people love a story like that.That will show them. Bloody council...

Hevz

Yep....that's what I think toobloody idiots

MrTashaAndBum

Take it to the papers - got any wheelchair users you know of locally who can help you out?? Mrs Bum and I can be hired you know

Sarahkka

Peanut,
Your access problems could be solved by using a baby carrier (the hands free kind that attaches baby to your chest), but you are absolutely right - that doesn't solve access for someone in a wheelchair. Which is unacceptable.
I would definitely pursue that angle.
The carrier suggestion was only to be helpful in a rugged, Canadian Rockies girl kind of way! It's what I'll be doing when I drag poor baby out to places that would make short work of a stroller - like the streets of Calgary in the dead of a prairie winter!