It looks like Dumb bartonshire council has tried to be clever.

Think the cost may be an exaggeration as this was discussed on BBC Radio today - one of those involved in the tender process stated that cost was nearer to £27k - I won't comment on the design.

Aside from the obvious design issues; it is also apparent that no-one involved in the design of the ziggurat ramp actually took into account the issue of the energy required to control a wheelchair coming down nor going back up! On the face of it a classic case of being a "competent engineer" with no understanding of the interaction of people with the "cure"! No different to a huge number of modifications [official and unofficial] to machinery that attract censure, enforcement notices and prosecution in the workplace really - just a very public example with a "Civil" imperative. At a local DWP office, the ramp for those who are ambulatory impaired is actually quite good for surface, gradient, handrails etc. But the width is barely sufficient for a standard wheelchair and has no room for passing except at the top of the steep flight of stairs immediately outside the outward opending exit doors! I really wish we could upload photos directly to this! These examples of inappropriate "reasonable adjustments" abound; especially in Local and Central Govt; although I've also seen some incredibly effective and imaginative measures as well. Let's get some examples of really good "reasonable adjustments" up to compare! Frank Hallett

Well Victor didn't say it so I will: I.........don't beleeeive it! Someone needs the sack IMHO

As I understand it, the family needed housing, the house became available, the family said the steps were fine and the house was suitable, the family moved in, the family announced that the steps were impossible and they needed a ramp, the council provided a ramp. I'm not really sure what all those howling in outrage think should have happened? The options seem to be: 1: Refuse to put the family in an available house they said they wanted and was suitable. Can you imagine the outrage then - disabled child refused housing because council busy-bodies refuse to believe the child's carers about what is suitable. 2: Take the family out of the house. Headlines then: disabled child evicted from house because penny-pinching council will not provide a ramp. 3: Take the family out of the house and evict some other family from some other house to make room for them - hard-working family evicted from council house to make way for disabled child 4: Build a ramp that does not comply with current guidelines - council idiots build ramp that doesn't meet rules and is too steep to get up. Who should be sacked? As far as I can see the only parties that haven't acted in a completely rationally sensible way are the parents who said the steps were fine until they moved in and then demanded a ramp. A galvanised steel well-drained ramp has negligible maintenance. You'll need to replace it in 30 years or so, but it won't need anything until then unless a car drives into it or vandals attack it.

And "rules is rules" .... Local Housing Association office - nice compliant ramp at the correct angle. However, the pavement it leads to .... http://goo.gl/maps/7kW3O