Disabled anglers ‘denied the freedom of fishing’

Disabled anglers ‘denied the freedom of fishing’

26 August 2020

INVESTMENT to provide updated car parking facilities at the Quoile River in Downpatrick is disadvantaging disabled anglers, it has has been claimed.

The Environment Agency recently upgraded a dedicated parking area along the banks of the popular river at the Quoile Road but has firmly rejected criticism that the work will have a negative impact.

Government officials insist that the needs of all members of the community were considered before improvement work started and that the site is for a car park only given the health and safety implications for anyone attempting to fish in an area where there are likely to be moving vehicles.

Local anglers say they have been left “frustrated” by the work and claim it is adding stress to those with disabilities, but the government department insists that previously there were never designated disabled angling stands at this location.

Mr Trevor Love says anglers believe that the major overhaul and completion of construction work at the car park has “denied those with disabilities the freedom of fishing”.

He also expressed frustration at not being able to secure responses from several government departments about the work at the Quoile on behalf of the less able.

Mr Love — who has been fishing at the Downpatrick river for over six decades — explained that the car park area is the only place where anglers with disabilities can fish.

“There’s a small wall there where anglers can get out of their cars, wheel their wheelchairs over and they are safe. They are also safe from their cars rolling into the river,” he continued.

“Previously, there was a piece of art in the middle of the car park which attracted local teenagers who were drinking and getting involved with anti-social behaviour. The structure has now been removed and the improvement work has resulted in no provision for disabled anglers.”

Mr Love said the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) expects the less able to stop at the upgraded car park, get out their wheelchair, along with fishing rods, bags and food for the day and make their way some 300 or 400 yards to another stand fishing which states that it’s not fit for disabled anglers.

“I have watched disabled anglers pull up at the revamped car park and when they get out of the car they are just looking and thinking ‘what has happened here?’ That freedom of fishing is denied to them now. It’s not right and they are just turning away and going home again,” he continued.

“Fishing acts as a release; it completely de-stresses you. The positive mental impact of fishing cannot be emphasised enough.”

Mr Love said while he has sent numerous emails seeking further information and meetings to discuss his concerns, he has been left disappointed at the lack of responses from a number of bodies.

“I have been passed from pillar to post,” he declared. “I have had no real response from anyone. I have asked for meetings and heard nothing,” he said.

Mr Love said vehicles can now park up against the wall at the refurbished car park to provide people with a better view of the river arguing that this has “taken away the rights of disabled anglers”.

A DAERA spokesperson said the ongoing work at the Quoile Road car park was part of “accessibility enhancements” being carried out by the Environment Agency with advance notice of the scheme clearly displayed at the site before it started.

The government department also confirmed that full consultation was initiated with Newry, Mourne and Down Council representatives and land management and health and safety officials.

“Local councillors were also contacted regarding the proposed works and no concerns were raised. The site plans clearly outlined the intent to install railings along the parapet,” continued the spokesperson.

“The car park has dedicated spaces close to the existing pathway providing access to disabled facilities in the area. The pathway from the car park is now being upgraded to enable better accessibility for all. 

“A further car park nearby, close to the Environment Agency visitor centre, also has access to a separate disabled angling stand shown in the deion and maps at the Game of Thrones stand and there is no work on-going in that location.”

The spokesperson said DAERA recently received a prestige access award from the William Keown Trust in relation to works undertaken to facilitate greater enjoyment by the disabled community of the amenities provided within the Quoile Poundage area.

“This award helps to reflect the lengths and measures to which the Department has committed in ensuring that our natural heritage and other facilities on the reserve including angling can be enjoyed by all members of the community.

“The needs of all members of the community were considered prior to the improvement works commencing. The Department remains committed to the maintenance and provision of safe public access and the safe enjoyment of this site and other sites that it manages,” the spokesperson added.