A Torquay Herald Express campaign to persuade local authorities to make playgrounds accessible to disabled children has had its first smell of success.

In partnership with a charity for special needs children in Torbay, the paper is calling for legislation to be introduced to encourage councils to install at least one item of wheelchair-friendly equipment in every play area.

Coinciding with the Fair Play campaign, park chiefs in Torbay have now pledged to install more wheelchair-friendly equipment as a review of the council’s 49 play areas gets underway.

Already the chairman of Torbay’s environment services committee has promised to do all he can.

Paignton councillor Ian Oxley, said: “Equipment suitable for disabled kiddies can also be used by able-bodied children and, if we replace anything or build something new, it will go in as a priority.”

Support for the campaign has also come from South Hams council.

Leisure and recreation chairman Coun Pat Bradley agreed to raise the issue with his colleagues.

Coun Bradley said: “We would look at the possibility of introducing play equipment for disabled children when we replace existing equipment, such as swings.

“Provided both disabled and able-bodied children can use the equipment, I would endorse it in principle.”

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