A DISABLED man from Overpool has criticised the county council after it refused to build a ramp to the shed housing his wheelchair.
Monty Lewis, from Seymour Drive, has difficulty walking and has to rely on an electric mobile chair.
And in order to ensure its safe keeping, Monty was hoping social services would build a ramp up to his shed.
But despite numerous requests, his plea has been rejected.
Monty, 60, who lives with wife Gill, said: 'I need to leave the wheelchair in the shed because there is nowhere suitable in the house to leave it. We only have a small hall and it gets in the way.
'I use the chair to go to Overpool shops because, without it, it takes me about an hour to walk. And it's such a long, uphill walk that I have to stop and rest along the way.'
Monty has been disabled since the 1970s and, as well as back problems, he suffers from arthritis and asthma.
Both he and Gill have day carers to look after them on a daily basis.
Monty added: 'It costs me £50 a month to use it and I want to make sure it's locked away safely, but it seems social services won't help me. Aren't they supposed to help disabled people?
'I can't lift the chair into the shed because I have had four discs removed from my back.
'All I am asking is for them to do a simple job but they're just not interested.'
Monty's requests have been denied because the ramp would not be part of the Lewis household - despite the shed being situated in the front garden and adjacent to the back kitchen.
In a statement, a council spokesman said: 'All requests for ramps are investigated and assessed according to individual circumstances.
'In this case, the ramp was not for access to or within Mr Lewis' home, and therefore not considered essential to his daily mobility requirements.'
