Church worried by disability act

Church wardens are worried about the costs of disabled facilities

Some church leaders in Lincolnshire say new legislation on disabled access could force them to close their doors.

Church stewards at Waddington say the cost of building a disabled toilet could run into thousands of pounds.

The Disability Discrimination Act requires churches to be made accessible to everyone.

"We are trying to comply with the act, but if it means that by doing this we bankrupt the church, we have lost everything," church warden Bryan Denman said.

"If we spend all our money on disabled toilets, then we will not have any money left for other repairs."

The church in Waddington, which celebrates its centenary next year, has a congregation of less than 50 people.

A parish church in Bodmin, Cornwall considered closing its church hall in 2003 because it could not afford a new disabled toilet.

The hall at St Petroc's was under threat because the church could not the £20,000 to install a lift and new toilets.

Church leaders at St Dennis Church in Sleaford say they have spent almost £20,000 on new facilities, including a new porch to allow wheelchairs and prams easier access.