Work starts today to improve Pembroke slipway

Agriculture, Countryside and Land Management Services is doing the work to help people with disabilities, those with pushchairs and those who have difficulty using steps.

The surface of the slipway will be altered to infill the worn steps and to provide a continuous concrete ramp to the centre of the slipway.

To reduce the risk of people slipping on it, the concrete surface will be slightly ridged.

Pembroke has one of the few slipways around the island which is shallow enough for beach wheelchairs and the new surface is intended to enable more people to enjoy the beach.

Guernsey Wooden Spoon, a charity dedicated to assisting children with disabilities with support from St John Ambulance is currently working to raise £16,000 for two specialised wheelchairs.

They have also proposed that a locked storage hut for the beach wheelchairs could be sited near the top of the slipway for the convenience of users.

However, this is subject to a successful fund raising appeal and approval by the Development & Planning Authority.

Beach wheelchairs have balloon wheels to enable travel over beaches and rough terrain and can even be used for paddling in shallow water.

The beach wheelchairs are used with assistance from an adult helper to assist with transfers and pushing the chair on the beach,

and will be available all year round for locals and visitors to use.

Environment & Infrastructure committee member and Vale Deputy Sarah Hansmann-Rouxel, the States’ disability champion, said everyone in Guernsey should be able to enjoy a day at the beach with their friends and family and hoped that Guernsey Wooden Spoon's fundraising for beach wheelchairs for Pembroke will be successful.

Anyone interested in helping with fundraising for the beach wheelchairs, or who would like more information on the work of Guernsey Wooden Spoon can contact the chairperson Karen Solway by email guernsey@woodenspoon.org.gg or call 07911 741097.