A LACK of improved disabled facilities in a £1 million investment project at Bolton One has provoked outrage.

Work has now begun on a refurbishment of the flagship Jason Kenny Centre, but disability campaigners are furious that the money is being spent on a sauna and new gym equipment.

Marie Oxtoby, of Bolton Neuro Voices, has campaigned for years for improvements to an “inadequate” car park and for the installation of grab rails in the centre’s hydrotherapy suite changing rooms.

Bolton Council confirmed that it is considering introducing more Blue Badge parking spots, but that other users of the hydrotherapy pool have said they do not want grab rails.

Mrs Oxtoby, who has run hydrotherapy programmes for people with neurological conditions at Bolton One for five years, said: “I have been trying for years to get these improvements but the council don’t think it is an emergency situation.

“My people struggle every week and some of it is unnecessary.”

The campaigner wants the number of disabled spaces at the centre at least doubled from the current six, as well as changes to the layout of the carpark to make it easier to drop disabled people off at the door.

She added: “The parking system could be changed, even if it would cost a bit of money.

“I did get them to extent the time limit that disabled people can park here for without being charged, but that took two years.

“I was promised a year ago that more disabled parking spaces would be provided, but nothing has been done and there is no mention of them now.

“I just felt really upset and angry when I saw the news about this investment.

“The things I am campaigning for would not only help the people I work with, but also any disabled people using the health centre.

“There are a lot of good things at Bolton One and people love the hydrotherapy pool, but there are obvious improvements that need to be made.

“We have tried really hard to come up with positive suggestions, but nothing has been done.”

She would also like seating to be installed outside the entrance to the centre.

Francis Calvert, from Halliwell, suffers from fibromyalgia and has taken part in the hydrotherapy sessions since 2015.

He said: “I have mobility problems and I struggle on my left side, so if there is no grab rail in the changing room it is difficult.

“I come here every week because the hydrotherapy is very helpful.

“I don’t think disability issues are taken as seriously as they should be. Clearly, the council wants this to be a world-class facility — but a lot of that seems to just be for able-bodied people.”

Kathleen Delaney, from Lostock, added: “It is very, very difficult for me to find a parking space.

“The provisions are not adequate.”

The Bolton News reported yesterday how the £30.6 million centre’s gym, main fitness suite and free weights room will be refurbished and have equipment upgraded or replaced.

The studio and changing rooms will also be refurbished and a new sauna and steam room installed.

A council spokesman said: “We are aware of the issues raised by Mrs Oxtoby and have already put in place a number of systems and facilities to aid disabled people in their use of Bolton One.

“We have allowed disabled people to use any of the parking bays, including those for short stay use, increased parking for Blue Badge holders to two hours and introduced enforcement on the parking bays, to ensure turnaround on the spaces available. We have also installed maglock doors on the corridor to the hydrotherapy suite.

“We are currently considering options with regard to additional Blue Badge parking space within the space available at Bolton One and are currently speaking to the facilities management company about seating for people waiting collection. Any changes affecting the main entrance to this building will be subject to the necessary approvals.

“With regards to grab rails in the hydrotherapy changing rooms, we discussed this with the other users of the pool and they were not in agreement with this and we cannot carry out changes unless all users are in agreement.”