Wheelchair anglers ‘can’t get access to fish in Quoile’

Wheelchair anglers ‘can’t get access to fish in Quoile’

16 September 2020

LOCAL anglers have issued a fresh appeal to senior government officials to meet with them to discuss their concerns over access for disabled fishermen at the Quoile River in Downpatrick.

The Environment Agency recently invested a significant amount of money in updating car parking facilities at the river, but anglers claim it is disadvantaging those confined to wheelchairs in particular.

The Agency upgraded a dedicated parking area along the banks of the river and 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.

Anglers are keen for a site meeting with representatives from the Environment Agency so they can discuss their concerns and argue that the the upgraded car park does not meet the needs of disabled fishermen.

Claiming that the upgraded car park has “denied those with disabilities the freedom of fishing,” the anglers have welcomed the support of two local councillors, Patrick Brown and John Trainor, who met with them last week.

Anglers argue that the car park area is the only place where anglers with disabilities can fish where there is a small wall, allowing them to get out of their cars, wheel their wheelchairs over to it and they are safe.

They say that 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 since been removed.

Downpatrick angler Trevor Love said that as things currently stand, 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”.

He continued: “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 and we are keen to meet with government officials so they can see the situation for themselves and hopefully understand our concerns.”

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

Cllr Brown claimed DAERA has been unable to provide an adequate response as to why barriers were erected at the car park wall without consulting local anglers and that not all Downpatrick councillors were informed of the planned work.

He said that the NI Direct website states that the car park is somewhere for disabled anglers to fish from, as the low wall allows someone in a wheelchair to easily cast a line. 

Cllr Brown also suggested that departmental officials appear to be confused between what constitutes a disabled car park and a car park for disabled anglers.

“In my opinion, more disabled parking bays have been installed rather than helping to facilitate fishing for the less able. To rectify this problem, DAERA should quickly move to install a ramp or platform to help those in wheelchairs access the river or remove part of the railings which are currently blocking access to the water,” he suggested.

DAERA said the work at the Quoile Road car park is 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,” said a spokesperson.

In addition, the government department said the upgraded car park has dedicated spaces close to the existing pathway providing access to disabled facilities in the area, with the pathway from the car park 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 added: “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.”