Beck improvements for disabled anglers

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has improved four fishing pegs at Beverley Beck for disabled anglers.

Following a request to the council, drop kerbs and short sections of footpath have been added to enable wheelchair users and people with less mobility to access the pegs.

The anglers hope the work undertaken by the council, which has seen £3,500 spent to make four of the platforms accessible, will encourage other fisheries to improve their access and facilities for disabled anglers in the East Riding.

Councillor Jane Evison, the council’s portfolio holder for the economy, investment and inequalities, said: “I very much welcome these new facilities which will enable anglers with disabilities to enjoy their sport safely and comfortably in this wonderfully unique setting.

“The improvements to the beck are designed to encourage both residents and tourists to discover this hidden gem. The journey along the beck takes you from an urban setting to the rural pastures of Figham.”

The request for the improvements came from John Twidale, who said: “Last year I started a campaign to educate venue owners to the needs of not just wheelchair anglers, but all anglers with various disabilities in general.

“East Riding of Yorkshire Council has done an excellent job and I hope the work done on Beverley Beck will encourage other fishery owners in the area to follow suit.”

Forty new fishing platforms were originally installed in summer 2011, when the Beverley Beck Heritage Walk was also launched. The facilities are part of an ongoing investment in the beck by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, aided by grant funding and commuted sums payable by developers.

Beverley Beck is a course fishery which means all the fish caught have to be returned. The species of fish found in the beck include roach, perch and pike. Day tickets can be purchased locally.