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Council removes wheelchair ramp due to 'significant risk of injury'

News imageBilly McCrorie The front of Wigtown County Buildings with a small ramp at the front door. Billy McCrorie
The council said the ramp removal followed an incident at Wigtown County Buildings

A wheelchair access ramp has been removed from a council building in south-west Scotland as it posed a "significant risk of injury".

Dumfries and Galloway Council said the move followed a recent incident at Wigtown County Buildings.

As a result, it said the existing temporary access ramp had been taken away to "protect public safety".

However, it added access to the building for wheelchair users remained in place with customers asked to call in advance of a visit.

News imageLeslie Barrie The Wigtown County Buildings a prominent brick building with a tower and a clock on it at the end of a row of houses with a blue sky overheadLeslie Barrie
The prominent property dates back to 1863

The prominent property in the heart of Wigtown dates back to 1863 and is a category B-listed building.

It is now home to a range of council services including the library, collection of applications for disabled parking permits and the registration of births, deaths and marriages.

However, a review carried out in the wake of the recent incident at the site - which the local authority has not released details of - led to the removal of the ramp put in place for wheelchair users.

The council stressed that did not mean access had been taken away.

A council statement said: "The temporary ramp requires council staff to deploy and supervise it safely and cannot be left in place for unsupervised use.

"We are therefore asking visitors to provide advance notice so that appropriate arrangements can be made to support access for wheelchair users.

"We recognise the impact this temporary change may have and are contacting building users directly to understand and support their needs during this period."

The local authority added the matter was being treated as a priority and it hoped to deliver a "safe and accessible solution" as soon as possible.

Anyone using a wheelchair who needs assistance to access the building, or wishes to arrange alternative ways to access services, has been asked to call 030 33 33 3004.