EDITOR'S CHOICE LOCAL NEWS Call to back justice awards Car park plan may not be worth cost OTHER SPORT Join bowls players at the gardens GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Hit and run driver sought 2 Car park plan may not be worth cost 3 'Arrowhead' found on beach 4 ‘Fostering’ needed for academy players 5 Harleys on way to coast for weekend 6 Beauty spots under threat from housing 7 Join bowls players at the gardens 8 Webb capture 9 Elderly couple robbed by conmen 10 Hutch in the hot-seat at St Mary’s Field Today | 7 Days 1 Making waves to test impact of new marina 2 Social tenants facing eviction 3 'Seedy and sedate' resort in new guide 4 Boy, 7, mauled in dog attack 5 Digital switchover just a year away 6 Police to investigate over election bust-up 7 New fears for Lyme landslip 8 Re-election proves important issues do not go away 9 Beauty spots under threat from housing 10 Survey praises hospital’s care

Comment

THAT'S A BIT STEEP: 79-year-old Jack Palmer is calling for an escalator at Chapelhay steps Picture: Brian Jung/bj5569

A PENSIONER is calling for an open-air escalator to be introduced in Weymouth - ready for the 2012 Olympics.

Jack Palmer was impressed with the recent facelift of Chapelhay Gardens by staff from the Old Rooms Inn and he wants to see more improvements in the district.

He wants the innovative device to connect Weymouth's harbourside and Chapelhay by running up the hill alongside Holy Trinity Church in place of the existing steps.

Jack said: "Countless people - mums with babies and elderly or disabled residents - have been heard to wish for an escalator.

"The need is self-evident. There can be no disagreement."

The steps currently divide after Chapelhay Gardens, with the left branch running past the children's play park and the right branch running towards the shopping precinct.

Jack, of Prospect Place, says his ideal escalator would take the route of the left branch because it is steeper - and because it runs towards his home.

He said: "It could be named The Chapelhay Travelator due to the variation of slope along its length, which is not common in escalators.

"Obviously a stop will be required at the level of the Chapelhay Gardens. I'd like to incorporate the Old Rooms Inn staff into this next initiative."

Jack, 79, said he would like to see the Chapelhay escalator up and running before Weymouth hosts the Olympic sailing events in four years' time.

"The Olympics will draw multitudes to Weymouth and the Chapelhay Travelator would be a big attraction," he said.

"It would lead from the picturesque harbourside to the beautiful Chapelhay district, its gardens, play garden and pubs.

"Open-air escalators are rare and a big draw to tourists, ensuring a photograph and a description in a zillion foreign homes.

"The timescale for this would probably overtake the relief road project, due solely to there being no likelihood of objectors on grounds of aesthetics or alternative routing."

Jack would like to see another cunning advantage drafted into the design of the Chapelhay Travelator.

He added: "I would like it to carry up all litter automatically and deposit it under the top step into a chute.

"It could be then taken to a convenient, out-of-the-way bin where gangs of delinquents serve their punishment time by sorting bottles, glass, tins and paper for recycling. "Happiness is Chapelhay!"

12:22pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

Print

Email this

Comment