West Midlands Safari Park guarantee free entry for carers in future

Bosses at West Midlands Safari Park are guaranteeing they won't charge carers to visit in future, after a recent backlash from the public over it.

At the beginning of the year, a new policy was announced where carers of disabled people would have to pay £22 pounds to enter, when usually it's free. It was introduced to deal with 'a rise in people abusing the policy' but it prompted a big outcry from the public, especially from the disabled community.

In an interview with us, Vikki Green, Head of Marketing at the attraction told us; "We absolutely don't want to upset or unsettle the carer community. The stringent new measures we've put in place will hopefully minimise the misuse of the scheme, and it will just ensure that those essential carers can enter for free.'

When pressed on whether that means free entry for those carers for the foreseeable future, Vikki replied; 'Yes'.

As a result, she says relations between the park and the disabled community have strengthened.

Earlier this month the mother of a disabled man wrote an open letter to the attraction over what she called a "discriminatory policy".

Helen Ashby said it was "disappointing" her 33-year-old son, who has Down's Syndrome, would have to reduce his visits to the site because of the policy.

Carers entering the site will still need the appropriate documentation and more stringent checks will be put in place to ensure no one exploits the policy.

Those who have paid the entry fee, or an annual carer pass, over the last month will also be refunded.

In a statement West Midlands Safari Park said they "appreciated the feedback" and take the thoughts of their guests "very seriously".

A spokesperson added: "Following an internal review, and listening carefully to views and opinions, we can confirm that as of today, we will be reinstating our policy of free entry for essential carers who are accompanying a paying guest with disabilities."