A DISABLED woman has appealed to Torfaen council to improve access to Ivor Street, Blaenavon after she

was thrown off her electric wheelchair on two separate occasions.

Debbie Fisher, 44, who has lived in Blaenavon for 18 months, has been in a wheelchair for seven years and cannot stand up or walk.

Ms Fisher said that the journey from her home, near Church Road, to the nearby Co-operate Food shop at Ivor Street has been hampered by an uneven path and cars obstructing her route by parking on the pavement.

Ms Fisher said that she has taken to travelling on Church Road, itself, after being thrown off her wheelchair on the path.

She said: “Using the road, I’ve scratched cars by accident and I’ve had drivers beeping and shouting at me. It’s even more dangerous in winter with snow and ice. I have to think twice before going out now, because of the lack of access. It’s quite shocking, but I guess I’m used to it by now.

“We ought to get traffic wardens up by the Co-op, as every five minutes, a new car or vehicle is parking on double yellow lines. There are even delivery trucks parking there and it’s hard to see the traffic lights as a result.

“There is no courtesy for people who are disabled or, indeed, young kids who have to go out on the road. Everyone is going to end up on their backs and there is a very nasty accident waiting to happen. Something needs to be done and I just want to go out and enjoy myself.”

A spokesman for Torfaen Council said the council will look into improving the accessibility of Ms Fisher’s route.

He said: “A site visit has investigated the improvements made to kerbs on Church Road in 2010. Due to the topography of the area, limited carriageway width, listed buildings, private property boundaries and the requirement to maintain vehicle access to the Ramfield Centre, the improvements were the best that could be achieved given the site conditions and resources at the time.

“Further improvement can only be achieved through costly highway and footway alterations which would only achieve a minimal improvement to the gradient of the footway and hinder vehicle access to the Ramfield centre.

“However, the council will look into the feasibility of improving accessibility in the area in question. This option will be assessed and if supported, prioritised amongst other requests and added to the work programme as funds become available.”