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Work carried out to remove 'nuisance' ramp

BBC Excavated pavement in front of church gate with kerb stones pulled out and bare ground. Some tools and digger and bollards to prevent people walking thereBBC
Work was carried out to replace "obstruction" with new access

A makeshift ramp at a church in Cornwall deemed a "nuisance" by highways bosses has been removed.

St Bartholomew's Church in Lostwithiel had railway sleepers fitted more than 30 years ago by a "gentleman from the village" which allowed access for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and wheel biers to carry coffins.

There was anger when Cornwall Highways said in a letter the ramp was considered "a significant obstruction to highway users" and demanded its removal.

Staff from council contractor Cormac have removed it, but also carried out work to "lower the footway kerbs to make it easier for highway users to access the footway, but... also benefit access to and from the church", officials said.

Rev Sheila Bawden standing partly on the road and kerb in front of wooden sleeper. She is surrounded by people, some with mobility scooters, walking frames and walking sticks.
The protest in July centred on the wooden ramp seen here in front of Rev Sheila Bawden

In July, older people, particularly those with mobility scooters and walking frames, protested at the church, also known as St Bart's, about the removal of the ramp.

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

At the time, Simon Brewer, captain of the bell ringers at St Bart's, who uses a mobility scooter, said: "I think it's too silly for words."

Now Cormac has excavated in front of the church step and removed the ramp.

Older person with white hair and glasses and wearing a dog collar and fleece on top looking at camera
Rev Sheila Bawden says the work carried out by Cormac is "wonderful"

Work stopped temporarily when some interesting features were discovered under the roadway.

Cormac said: "A small number of cobbles were identified during the excavation works... but they are not thought to be part of an historic feature.

"However, the cobbles have been removed to store for safe keeping."

The work has now been completed and the pavement has been angled to allow mobility scooters and wheelchairs to access St Bart's.

The Reverend Sheila Bawden said: "We've got the wonderful team from Cormac who put a beautiful ramp in for us; they've lowered the kerb, they've resurfaced it.

"It's wonderful, everybody has got access to the church.

"I can even use my skateboard coming out on this now."

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