Rotary’s project plans to open up disabled access to Bradda Glen

The charity will construct a viewing platform accessible to wheelchairs from the car park at Bradda. Given the sloping terrain, trees and plant life it’s a tricky undertaking and subsequently costly, so the charity will be busy raising funds for this in the coming months and years. Club member Ashton Lewis, who is in charge of projects, explained: ‘The Rotary Club of Rushen and Western Mann was formed in 1973 and the first project undertaken was the nature trail on Bradda headland.

 ‘With our 50th anniversary approaching it was decided that a special project be carried out as a means of celebration. Rotarian Brian Coole suggested that in view of the fact that our first project ever undertaken was at Bradda an access path for disabled users in the same area would be appropriate. We have looked at a number of ideas, consulted with various bodies and settled on the proposal to construct a new viewing platform on the middle path by the telescope. The platform will have access for disabled users starting from the car park by the café.’

 ‘The path will be upgraded to ensure that the gradient is correct for wheelchair users and the platform will be sized to enable a large group of people to use it at any one time.’

 ‘There will be tables that will be suitable for wheelchair users and on the seaward side there will be a glass balustrade to give shelter whilst maximising the view.’

 The cost will be ‘substantial’ he said. ‘The charity will draw on all its fundraising sources, local, national and international.’

 He added: ‘The overall community will benefit  by increasing disabled access to one of the island’s iconic views. The club will submit a planning application. He appealed for support ‘from the wider community, it is important for us to be able to deliver a high quality facility that will be enjoyed by people from the Isle of Man and visitors for many years to come.’