A new access guide has been launched for the disabled in Bradford. Telegraph & Argus reporter Heather Bishop accompanied Peter Ratcliffe to test it out

A trip into Bradford for 24-year-old Peter Ratcliffe has to be planned with the precision of a military operation.

Peter, who lives in Yeadon, has been in a wheelchair since birth and says he is used to not being able to get into buildings or having to ask staff for help.

While most of us take for granted the fact that we can nip to the shop, grab a coffee with friends or buy a new CD, wheelchair users throughout the city are faced with the fact that their visits often have to be arranged in advance.

"Many places say they have disabled access but you have to ask staff for help to open doors or get you into a lift,'' said Peter. "Often they need you to ring up in advance and let them know you're coming."

The new Bradford Access Action guide, which Peter helped produce, lists more than 200 places which have access for the disabled in the city.

"There are a lot of places that are wising up but it's not good enough," he said. "There is a lack of accessible restaurants in the city and even if they do have a ramp, there's often no space to move around inside.''

As soon as we ventured onto the streets of Bradford my eyes were suddenly opened to the problems that thousands of disabled people face very day.

There was a lack of dropped kerbs and in some places there was a dropped kerb on one side of the street but none opposite. Cobbles and advertising hoardings became hazards which turned the road into an obstacle course for Peter.

The first stop was the Bank Street Post Office which the guide states as having particularly poor access.

"There are some good post offices in the district but this one is pretty tricky for a wheelchair user," said Peter. "There are two steep stone steps up to the entrance and the building isn't very well laid out.

"The counters are too high and the queue barrier is too narrow - even the post box is too high for anyone in a wheelchair to reach."

Next stop were some of the banks and building societies which seemed to be well-equipped for wheelchair users.

Abbey National on Darley Street was given the thumbs up by Peter.

"Most of the banks are really trying hard. They have automatic doors, low ramps and plenty of room inside," he said.

One of the best examples of help we found in the city centre was Marks and Spencer in Darley Street.

"It's not only the disabled access but the fact that the staff here can use sign language and are aware of disabled people's needs," said Peter.

"It's great because I can just come in the front of the store and do my shopping without having to ask for help. There's a ramp with automatic doors, a lift with low buttons and disabled changing rooms."

But other places seemed to be totally inaccessible for wheelchair users such as the steep flight of stairs which greeted us at Secure Trust Bank PLC in Bank Street.

"If this was my bank, I really would have no chance of getting in. There's so sign or bell either that I can ring for help," said Peter.

But branch manager Martin Smith said disabled access was available around the other side of the building.

"If customers make inquiries they can use a lift to get to our office on the first floor," he said.

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