A fuming mum has hit out at a council for failing to provide changing facilities for her disabled daughter at a renowned beauty spot.
Pennington Flash, a park and nature reserve near Wigan popular with day trippers, is currently undergoing redevelopment to include accessible facilities alongside a new café, reports Manchester Evening News.
But Rebecca Callaghan, whose daughter suffers from a rare neurological and skin disorder called Sturge Weber syndrome, has demanded that the space be provided sooner as the current situation is 'degrading' for her when she requires changing.
Matilda, 11, has learning difficulties and epilepsy from a birthmark on her brain, as well as mobility issues that means she requires use of a specialist wheelchair.
She was also born two holes in her heart and a pouch in her throat, and has undergone over 30 operations before she was five-years-old.
Tilly enjoys regular trips to Pennington Flash along with her mother, who told Manchester Evening News that she is fortunate to live close enough to take her home for emergencies.
But she has called on Wigan Council to take action as she worries for other parents in the same position, telling the newspaper: "I think it [the changing facility] should be in place before anything else and not in 2023... it is just so degrading for all involved for them to be changed in the boot of the car.
"This is not just a local issue though, it is everywhere. If they [Pennington Flash] are saying it is going to be accessible, that should be in before the café and the playground.
"It wouldn’t surprise me that after they build the café the budget won’t allow for this. People in wheelchairs feel like they are always thought of last."
She added that people needed to realise that not all children like her daughter should be 'in a sensory class’, and that appropriate facilities were important to ensure all outdoor spaces were accessible to people with disabilities.
Responding to her comments, James Winterbottom, Director of Digital, Leisure and Wellbeing, at Wigan Council said: “The facilities at Pennington Flash Nature Reserve are currently undergoing an exciting £2.4m makeover as part of our efforts to create an even better experience for all our visitors. A new visitor centre and café will open later this year, which will include brand-new accessible toilets.
“In the meantime, temporary facilities are open for people’s convenience – including an accessible portable toilet suitable for wheelchair users. It is also our intention to upgrade the existing Changing Places facility.
He added that it was "important" to the council that "absolutely everyone can experience and enjoy the beauty of Pennington Flash", and revealed that the upgrade would include "additional accessible parking bays" and upgrading the children’s play area with "new, inclusive play equipment for families".
