A reservoir popular with fisherman should have better access for disabled anglers according to one councillor.
Cllr Phil Scott this week attacked Hastings Borough Council for failing to do enough to make sure Buckshole Reservoir has sufficient disabled access - saying it was denying disabled fishing enthusiasts the same opportunities as the able-bodied.
T
he outspoken Labour councillor also criticised the Council for allowed parts of Alexandra Park to fall into disrepair.
He said: "If you walk through the top end of Alexandra Park above the Buckshole Pumping Station the whole area looks totally neglected. The watercourses have graffiti on them and are overgrown with brambles, the branches that have fallen recently have been left to rot, the metal railings around the perimeter are simply falling apart and in my view are a Health and Safety issue.
"Also, the issues around DDA compliance at Buckshole Reservoir have still not been fully addressed.
"The Council should be investing money to bring these open space areas and fishing amenities up to an acceptable standard, it has had an enormous underspend recently so there is money available to do so."
Council leader Peter Pragnell, hit back. He said: "Alexandra Park is one of the best green spaces we have in Hastings and to say it is being neglected is to do a real disservice to the hard working officers and our contractors, Quadron, who do such a fine job.
"In fact Alexandra Park is held in such high regard that it has once again won Green Flag and Green Heritage awards for this year, achievements we are once again very proud of. To gain this accreditation the park must be accessible, safe and well managed - areas we thrive in year after year.
"We have just completed the resurfacing of footpaths between Shornden and Harmers Reservoir and improved disability access to Harmers; improvements we committed £130,000 to.
"We will shortly start on the essential safety work at Buckshole Reservoir, which we estimate will take around two months to complete.
"After this work has been carried out, we will be looking at accessibility issues and plan to work closely with disability groups in the town."
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