The Abingdon County Hall Museum has a small lift from street level that can take visitors to the cellar area. It first opened in July 2012, but has been out of order for all of 2023. Repairs are now underway.
In 2010, plans to install a lift to the main gallery were rejected by English Heritage, who argued that it would have caused harm to the Grade II listed building. However, Abingdon on Thames Town Council, who run the museum, have said in the past that they are committed to making the museum more accessible and are currently considering options for a larger lift. The museum manager was asked in the finance committee meeting of June 2023 to report back on options, and money has already spent on the project of a new lift.
In the meantime, visitors to the museum who need to access the upper floors can use the staircase. The staircase is located at the back of the building and has 120 steps.
What are the objections to a stair lift of the type used by many in their homes ?The stairs are wide, sturdy and with plenty of space to fit such a thing.
Some years ago, following an accident to my foot, I used several of these in various stately homes and NT properties, many with far less convenient staircases. Some were designed to carry a wheelchair as well. All had to be operated by a trained member of staff but surely that should be possible too ?
In 2010 English Heritage viewed installing a chairlift as causing significant harm to the internal staircase. EH had originally favoured the exterior lift – there was support from the EH south east regional office but the proposal was referred to the EH advisory committee because the building is of national significance and that group registered their objection. This meant there was next to no prospect of planning permission being granted and ATC withdrew their application to the Vale. This was a shame as the lift could have been built with HLF funds, which are now harder to secure now.
This time the Vale will have to consult Historic England, who act in the same role as EH previously did. The view of Historic England is important- in effect an objection would be a veto.
I hope that this time an unelected group of bureaucrats based in London do not overrule our elected local councillors.
Provided the lift is supplied in the most sympathetic way Historic England should just ‘do one’. This situation has been ridiculous for years.
When I worked there EH wouldn’t allow a thing to be attached to the wall, and there was uproar when the window ‘fairy’ lights were installed without permission, so absolutely nothing would be allowed to be fixed to the stairs. Also it would be an escape route hazard as the staircase is the only access on a wood staircase.
I believe the previous “veto” was from one chap who never visited the site…yet his opinion swayed the decision.
Out of interest, what profit does the museum/CH make? I assume its income is greater than its outgoings?
I wouldn’t have thought the Museum was meant to be a profit-making activity – surely it is a Council-provided service (like parks, Libraries etc). Since they don’t charge for entry it is hard to see how they could make a profit!
I imagine they have a budget to work to – is that what you mean?
Tha is Hester.
I am grumbling over the outdoor pool…many seem to rely on the excuse about cost/use it or lose it etc…
I am just trying to square the circle that not all “amenities” are necessarily having to be run for a profit, or not exist. Sometimes it’s worth having something because it is “worth” having.
The museum for instance. Or the library.
So why not the outdoor pool.
I agree!
I totally agree.
But I do get tired of people who moan about it and any possibility of losing it but don’t actually use it. In particular those who moan about it not opening in June, but when that happened hardly anyone used it. I did on warm days and was often one of only half a dozen people.
I disagree.
I do not use the museum. But I think it brings something to the town where I live.
I do not use the library. But I think it brings something to the town where I live.
I do not use the market. But I think it brings something to the town where I live.
I do not use the public wc. But I think it brings something to the town where I live.
I do not use the carparks. But I think it brings something to the town where I live.
I do not use the cycle paths. But I think it brings something to the town where I live.
I could go on…
What would be wrong with opening the pool later under lights? One of the problems is that it is only open for a short period of the year when people are at work for most of the time it is open.