Last Thursday Ross Town Councillor Andrew Atkinson took on the challenge of spending the day in a mobility scooter.

The challenge was set by Smallbrook Gardens resident Polly Preece to give Councillor Atkinson a better idea of how hospitable, or not, Ross is to people with disabilities.

However, he probably didn't anticipate breaking down on the Ledbury Road, within moments of starting the challenge, and waiting 40 minutes for assistance to arrive.

Unbeknownst to Councillor Atkinson the drained battery was a ruse, set up between Polly and Dennis Humble, of EnviroAbility, who supplied his scooter.

Polly said: "I just wanted to see what he would do. I keep a mobile phone with me with the correct numbers saved just in case I break down."Andy insisted on completing the day without the use of his legs, so when Dennis arrived with the replacement scooter, he expertly assisted Andy onto the new vehicle. Andy then met up with another mobility scooter user, Sheila Wiltshire, before heading into Ross.

Sheila Wiltshire: "Some of the pavements are so rough and many kerbs are not dropped. Even some of the kerbs which are dropped, the drop appears on the bend of the pavement so you really have to turn it to get the scooter up onto the path.

"I had to give up using my car several weeks ago because of my eyesight so I bought a scooter to keep my independence. You get to learn where the drop kerbs are. Honestly, I find it quite fun!"

Andy's first serious challenge was having to move onto the road at the Five Ways double roundabout because a telecoms vehicle had parked on the kerb and, although a sign pointed pedestrians down the side of the vehicle, on the path, there was not enough room for a scooter to pass.

Andy rendevoused with Polly at Ross Library after finding out first hand that there is no dropped kerb on Station Street opposite the junction to Henry Street.

Polly Preece said: "I've been in a scooter for three years. I've seen lots of difficulties, not just for me, but for other people with walking frames, mothers with prams, people with walking sticks and blind people.

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.