There are currently no accessible beaches on the Isle of Wight and very few beach wheelchairs to hire, but a new project for Ryde Beach aims to change that.

Ryde Town Council has announced a new partnership with Unlimited Island and Ryde Beach Lifeguards designed to make Ryde Beach as accessible to everybody.

Ryde is the largest town on the Island, with five miles of sandy beaches, but a lack of accessibility means that many residents and visitors are excluded from enjoying it if they require wheelchairs, mobility scooters or walkers.

The aim is to install non-slip matting that can be used to create an access route on the sand for pedestrians, families with pushchairs and people with limited mobility or in wheelchairs.

Isle of Wight County Press: A 2012 IW Council report showed that there are around 6400-7000 people living on the Island with some form of disabilityA 2012 IW Council report showed that there are around 6400-7000 people living on the Island with some form of disability (Image: Ryde Town Council)

In addition to this, the council wishes to offer raised sunbeds and, most importantly, beach and water wheelchairs.

The council is investigating the possibility of a new Changing Place modular unit next to the existing public conveniences and near the new access matting.

This will allow wheelchair users to change and transfer into a beach/water wheelchair with dignity and have the peace of mind that a suitable toilet option is within reach.

The Town Council have allocated an initial £10,000 grant which has been doubled thanks to a contribution from the IW Council, but further funding is needed to advance the project.

Isle of Wight County Press: Non-slip matting could be used to create an access route on Ryde BeachNon-slip matting could be used to create an access route on Ryde Beach (Image: Ryde Town Council)

Working closely with Unlimited Island, Ryde Town Council will raise awareness of its beach accessibility project and highlight the opening of a JustGiving appeal.

Ryde Beach Lifeguards' application for a beach-accessible wheelchair for this season has been successful, which is a huge step forward for the project.

For more information and booking, contact Waterside Pool, or to donate to the project, visit the project's JustGiving page HERE.

Isle of Wight County Press: A recent Island survey found 76 per cent of respondents would go in the sea if they could use a sea wheelchairA recent Island survey found 76 per cent of respondents would go in the sea if they could use a sea wheelchair (Image: Ryde Town Council)

Lisa Dyer, town clerk, said: “We strongly believe that nobody should feel excluded due to lack of access to facilities.

“Therefore, we want to make one of the most popular stretches of the beach accessible to wheelchair users and people who may have additional mobility requirements, so they too can enjoy beach days and a swim with their friends and family.”

Claire Walker of Unlimited Island said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of this project as the Island is in desperate need of beaches which can be enjoyed by everybody, residents and tourists alike.”