Easy access to Bulwer Park

A GLENWOOD mum and her 12-year-old son are now able to access Bulwer Park with ease, thanks to prompt action by the Roads Department.

Nicola Deghaye explained that access to places in and around Durban were generally not very wheelchair friendly which caused huge frustrations for her and Daniel, who uses a wheelchair or mobility scooter to get around.

“Recently we decided to try do something about one thing that was really bothering us – poor access to Bulwer Park for wheelchair users. Previously it was impossible to safely cross Alan Paton Road on Lena Ahrens Road on the lower side in a wheelchair as there were no kerb cuts. A heavy mobility scooter or power wheelchair can’t be tipped to get up a standard kerb,” she said.

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Nicola said when she wanted to get her dog’s rabies injections done in the park last year, she had to give up as she couldn’t get into the park with Daniel. On another occasion they got themselves into a hair-raising situation trying to cross Alan Paton Road with the wheelchair as they couldn’t get onto the kerb in the middle of the road.

“After a lot of griping to friends I decided I had better do something about this problem. I contacted our local councillor, Mmabatho Tembe and she chanelled my request to the right person at eThekwini. The service I received from there on was astounding. Within two hours of sending the email someone from the Roads Department called me. I met the person the next day at the intersection and explained the problems. Within 10 days they had started work on the new kerb scoops. It is now completely safe to cross Alan Paton Road with the wheelchair or scooter and now the whole family can take the dogs for a walk in Bulwer Park,” she said.

An excited Daniel said: “Before I didn’t want to go to the park as it was too stressful, but now it’s a breeze. I’m very happy that we can all go to the park now.”

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