Improving access for Young parents with buggies, or disabled and older residents is important. Council Cabinet member Cllr Martin Gowans will agree on Tuesday 25 September to establish a Highways Improvement Fund of £25,000 to improve access to Council owned sites.

Cllr Martin Gowans said, “We are strongly committed to improving access to Council owned sites in the first step to improve accessibility across Milton Keynes. I have first experience of the problems. As a parent I often take my young children out and there are access problems on footpaths. This small, but important fund will start the ball rolling on improved access, for parents and for disabled and older people who face access challenges. ” 

Examples of work that could be funded include:

• Dropped kerbs
• Removal of barriers
• Relocating street signs that narrow pathways.
• Improving pathway access
• Improving access to seating benches; improving access for people.   
• Accessibility ramps in place of steps.

He will be asking councillors, parish councils, resident associations, churches and community organisations to identify sites for improvement work.

Cllr Gowans concluded, “I am a great believer in trying out new approaches to tackle problems. Accessibility is an issue and this initial investment, when it works can then become a regular part of our improvement work across Milton Keynes. It will particularly benefit disabled and older people.”