AN AMMANFORD mum-to-be has hit out at the lack of disability access onto the walk/cycle path from Pantyffynnon to Betws Bridge.

Kelly Howells was taking a walk with her husband Terrence and her dog when they came across a distressed man on his mobility scooter struggling to get past the barrier to access the path.

“We tried to help but there was no way the scooter was going to get through,” said Kelly.

“It’s a shame because it’s a lovely path – I feel like disabled people are being discriminated against.”

“The gentleman was really embarrassed to ask for help, I really felt for him.”

Another local resident, who doesn’t wish to be named, added that he was “disappointed”

that mobility scooters have not been taken into account when the barriers – which are meant to stop motorcycles – were built.

“I was off work myself for some time due to ill health and I would have loved to have had the chance to take a leisurely walk down the path, away from the busy roads.

“People like this gentleman should be able to access places like this, they have enough barriers to overcome in their life, things like this just add to their daily battles.”

A Carmarthenshire county council spokesperson said the path from Pantyffynnon to Ammanford had been designed for walkers, cyclists and wheelchair users but there had been issues with motorcycles and quad bikes.

“The barrier at Pantyffynnon is of a standard type,” he said.

“It has height and width restrictions but is constructed to allow passage for prams, pushchairs, bicycles, wheelchairs and disabled vehicles up to 545mm wide.

“If barriers were not provided it could potentially allow access to motorcycles and quad bikes which could cause a nuisance and a danger to the health and safety of those using the path. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to cater for every type and size of disability motor scooter.”