Buildings required to meet access standards
Wednesday March 10 2010
NEW buildings will soon be required to meet stiff standards to allow disabled people full access to all parts, councillors were advised on Monday.
And owners of old premises may also have to spend large amounts of money in order to measure up to the new criteria.
Monday's meeting of Wexford County Council was told that disability access certificates will become mandatory from the summer, for all buildings and housing estates. As a result, for example, lifts will be needed to ensure that everyone can reach upper storeys of apartment blocks. A July 10 deadline will apply.
Director of services Adrian Doyle warned that access certs will also be needed to cover older premises whenever older premises are leased out, sold or undergo a change of use: 'The disability certificate will be an important part of the jigsaw,' he commented.
Cllr. Pat Codd (F.G.) did not think that shops in small towns with steps up to their doors would all become wheelchair friendly overnight. He pointed out that there are what he called 'constraints in funding'.
