A DISABLED woman has finally cashed in after a four-year battle to have her bank fit a ramp for wheelchair users.

And at one point, campaigning Mrs Gill Buckland even telephoned the top boss of the Royal Bank of Scotland at the its Edinburgh headquarters.

But her quid was certainly in on Wednesday when Mrs Buckland officially opened the new ramp at the bank's Bury branch on The Rock.

Wheelchair user Mrs Buckland, from Bury, is a member of Bury and District Disabled Advisory Council (BADDAC) which fights towards greater access and better facilities for the disabled.

The bank's decision to fit the ramp at Bury came after the building had a major refurbishment.

Mrs Buckland said: "I've been a customer of the bank for the ten years but eight years ago, after an accident, I became disabled."

Some time ago, she became chairman of BADDAC's access group and began to press for outside wheelchair access at the Royal Bank.

She said: "Initially, there were all sorts of technicalities, particularly because the bank is in a conservation area." Harnessing BADDAC's good relationship with Bury Council planners, Mrs Buckland and the local branch finally managed to iron out the problems - to pave the way for the ramp.

"After negotiations between the three of us, we managed to get it done.

"At one point, I rang the bank's managing director in Edinburgh after plans for the ramp seemed to get lost in bureaucracy," she added.

"It's been an ongoing battle, but throughout that time the local branch has been very supportive."

Mrs Buckland officially opened the new disabled ramp, which runs from Union Street and round the corner to the front door on The Rock.

Staff presented her with a colourful bouquet of flowers to mark the occasion.

"The ramp will also benefit mums with prams and buggies who in the past may have struggled," she added.

Mr Ian Rotherham, branch deputy customer service manager, said: "When we were getting the listed building modernised, we decided to make it more accessible for our disabled customers.

"And we would like to thank Mrs Buckland for her help in getting the work done."

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