Subway becomes a barrier to Bob and his buggy...

Retired blacksmith Bob Bourner, of Terminus Road, depends on his electric buggy to get about. But he and neighbours who are also wheelchair-bound are finding their path blocked by newly-replaced barriers in the subway under the railway near their homes.

For wheelchair users in the Terminus Road area, the subway is a safe and convenient way into the town centre avoiding the narrow pavement under Sackville Arch. Bob Bourner has also been using it to get to the bus stop in Wickham Avenue.

He said: "The barrier is there to stop the kids riding bikes through the subway.

"It was taken away while the tunnel roof was being repaired.

"But it was put back about a month or six weeks ago when the work was finished.

"People with smaller scooters can just wriggle them through but larger ones like this just won't fit. It is shame because it was ideal while it was open."