A step too far...

9:52am Thursday 4th September 2008

WHEN Margaret and Joseph Jackson were advised to take up swimming by their GP they visited local pools, including the new one at Leigh Sports Village - but claim they discovered a stumbling block - no steps.

The Atherton couple were offered hoists to get them in the water, but felt they were a bit over the top for them.

Margaret said at a holiday home site, complete with a small pool, they visited there was a set of steps about a yard wide which could be lowered in and out as needed.

She asks why the local authority can’t provide this facility at local pools.

Following the complaint a spokesperson for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust said: "We are committed to providing access for all at our Active Life Leisure Centres.

"Our pools can be accessed by vertical steps, whilst our learner pools do have steps with a low gradient. The majority of swimming pools offer a portable pool hoist system for customers with limited mobility; which as part of a recent assessment by IFI - Inclusive Fitness Initiative - is considered good practise.

"We are speaking to this customer about their particular individual needs."

•I Remember at the old Silk Street baths most people walked down the steps to neck depth to acclimatize before swimming off - me included. We’d have been lost without them.