A COUNCILLOR is claiming victory over works to improve disabled access to a landmark shopping arcade.

Coun Ian Tweedie said he stepped in when a wheelchair user in his Vivary Bridge ward raised concerns regarding gaining entry to Shackleton Hall, in Church Street. Because of the gradient of the pavement, the wheelchair user is said to have found it difficult to negotiate the stepped entrance.

Coun Tweedie said he had helped to find a resolution for the problem, with the pavement now being levelled to improve access.

He added: β€œIt’s easy for us to overlook the problems faced by disabled people, but I was astonished that this prestigious refurbishment project had failed to accommodate them gaining access to the shopping mall.”