Changes are to be made at Swallows leisure centre to help make it user-friendly for disabled people.

Automatic doors are to be installed in the reception area as well as new signs showing wheelchair users how to access the pool after concerns were raised by Bernard Bibby.

The 69-year-old wrote to the chief executive of Swale council Abdool Kara highlighting the issues after he visited the centre in Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, with his wife Ceila three weeks ago.

As a result, the couple were invited to the centre last Tuesday where he met with representatives from Swale council, who are the landlords, Swale Community Leisure Trust, which runs the service, and Serco Leisure which operates it on behalf of the trust, to discuss the proposed improvements.

Mr Bibby, of Canterbury Road, Sittingbourne, said: “The problem of access starts before you even get to the changing area in that there are two manually operated doors which are impossible to operate sitting in a wheelchair.

“There is a lift to the changing area where there are cubicles for disabled people, but there are no direction signs.

“The next and major problem is the no visible access from the changing area to the pool.
“We thought the only way was the steps, but it was pointed out to us that they can go in the lift up to the first floor then go down the ramp which takes you pool side but it’s not clear.

“It also means they’ve got to get in the lift in their swimming costume, get out in a public area to go down to the pool and do the same in a dripping wet costume on their way back.
“They said the signs would go up in the next few weeks but I suspect things like the doors won’t happen until about six months.

“They have responded very quickly and things are going to happen so I’m pleased.”
A spokesman for Swale council said, “The council have an interest in ensuring the building is fit for purpose.

“Working with providers to ensure their services and facilities are accessible for everyone within the borough is a key aim of ours.”