A former Deal mayor who has become temporarily wheelchair bound has said he is now “seeing it from the other side” and is calling for more dropped kerbs.

Deal town councillor Ben Bano took a fall while in Sussex eight weeks ago, breaking his leg.

He experienced some complications which resulted in seven operations and a six-week stay in hospital in East Grinstead.

Since returning to his home in College Road and acquiring a powered wheelchair to use, he has noticed the difficulty in getting to and from the High Street due to a lack of dropped kerbs, especially on the corner of Ark Lane.

He said: “Since becoming a wheelchair user I am aware of the many obstacles facing people with disabilities in our town.

“I’m now seeing it from the other side and clearly action needs to be taken.

“As well as the lack of dropped kerbs, many buses still do not have access for wheelchairs and South Street bus station is completely unsuitable for wheelchair users, particularly when the bus stops in the middle of South Street.

“I hope improvements can be made there as soon as possible.”

During his period of ill health Cllr Bano has been unable to attend Deal Town Council meeting but was welcomed back on Monday night.

He said: “People with disabilities of all ages have a right to access the same services as the rest of us – that’s why we need to keep pressing for improvements such as disabled changing facilities at Walmer paddling pool.

“In coming months I want to take a close interest in where improvements and additional dropped kerbs are needed in my own ward of Mill Hill and I hope we can persuade Kent County Council to draw up an action plan to address these important issues.

He will be taking the issue to Kent County Council and specifically to councillors Mike Eddy and Eileen Rowbotham.

Cllr Eddy said: “I very much agree with Cllr Bano. When my mother was alive I noticed the problem.

“It’s not just dropped kerbs, it’s uneven pavements that leave the rider at 45 degrees as they ride along. There’s a whole variety of problems.

“It’s something that I would like to be able to address with the Members Highway Fund but it was cut.”

Cllr Eddy explained a set of dropped kerbs cost around £1,000 without complications.

He added: “We will give Cllr Bano every possible support.”