A MAN who claims he has been stuck in his house for three years said he’s frustrated he can’t leave and “go to the chippy and buy a fish.”

Steve Niblock, who is severely disabled and struggles to walk, said he hopes to be able to leave the house soon.

Mr Niblock has been living in a Magenta Living home for 12 years on Cecil Road, New Ferry but claims he never really had an issue until he asked for a ramp to be put in so he could get a mobility scooter into his back garden. He previously told the LDRS: “All I do is watch telly. I have no social life apart from talking to people on the phone. That is it. It’s a bloody nightmare I tell you.”

After the LDRS first reported Mr Niblock’s situation, Magenta, who had initially refused to put the ramp in, told Mr Niblock that they will put it in though work had been delayed due to wet weather. However he claims he is still waiting to hear back from Wirral Council about whether it will put a dropped kerb outside his house and any estimate for how much this may cost.

Mr Niblock said he has paid £75 for a vehicle crossing estimate and survey but claims he is yet to get a quote for how much it would cost from the local authority. He said he was told the local authority will put in dropped kerbs near to but not directly outside his house, something he believes is impractical and pointless.

He said: “There is no resolution as of yet. I still want to go to the chippy and buy a fish,” adding: “Why can’t they put it outside my house if they can put two a couple of metres away? Why are they wasting the money?”

Though he had made progress on the issue, Mr Niblock said he was frustrated trying to get an update on the situation from Wirral Council and Magenta, adding: “It’s a chicken and egg situation. You try to phone people and they do not return your calls.”

He worries other disabled people in similar situations don’t know their rights when it comes to requesting for reasonable adjustments. He said: “Magenta and the council in some respects they expect you to roll over. That is exactly what I am saying. Some disabled people haven’t got the fight.”

Mr Niblock, who is a former social worker and councillor, said: “Because I have got the knowledge, I know how the system works but when it comes down to it, the Equality Act is very clear. Reasonable it says. A small ramp for someone who can’t exactly walk is, as far as I am concerned, reasonable.”

A Magenta spokesperson said: “We visited Mr Niblock to assess and agree the adaptation works required to his home. From this we provided a written follow up letter to ensure Mr Niblock was happy with the approach, which was sent on 1st October.

“Initially we advised Mr Niblock that we would arrange this work once the Council had completed the changes to the pavement curb; however, at Mr Niblock’s request and to ensure the works are completed as soon as possible we have booked the work in. Unfortunately, due to the recent wet weather, we have not been able to start the external concrete works. We have been in regular contact with Mr Niblock to explain this and keep him updated.”

Wirral Council was approached for comment.