What is going ahead, amongst other things, is a `grand entrance' from Langworthy Road...and Urban Splash have pledged £2,000 towards a `public art feature'…well, that's more sexy than toilets and disabled parking…
Which all makes you wonder who this `new' park, is for. One of the main reasons given by the council for the need to improve the park was to "enhance the `park setting' to adjacent housing development sites"...Chimney Pot Park is right next to the Urban Splash `upside down' development. And there won't be many elderly or disabled people there…it's "modern homes for young workers" says Urban Splash chairman, Tom Bloxham.
Meanwhile, across Langworthy Road, a block of shops is currently being done up by the council. And, again, disabled people have missed out, along with pram and trolley pushers, as the shops have huge steps at their entrance.
"The council, which is spending £40,000 on my shop, is assuring me that it won't drop the property to the floor to comply with new regulations for the disabled" explains Terry Halligan of Best Of The Bunch flower shop
"They said that it's not the law, it's down to me" he adds "and I replied, `Don't touch my shop now, put the £40,000 in a bank account and I'll paint my shop bright pink with yellow spots right in the middle of your `Langworthy Village' and it will be the biggest eyesore you've ever seen'…"
"Salford Council could be in breach of the new legislation…"
Disability Rights Commission
Fortunately for the disabled, a new law came in on 4th December called the Disability Equality Duty, under which public authorities now have a legal duty to meet disabled people's needs and look at ways of ensuring that they are treated equally. A spokesperson for the Disability Rights Commission says that Salford Council could well be breaking the new law.
"If money has been spent on a major refurbishment and has not been used to sort out access" she explained "then Salford Council could be in breach of the new legislation."
The Salford Star has promised to keep the Commission up to date with developments in both Chimney Pot Park and the shops on Langworthy Road.
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