Council criticised for endangering disabled shoppers

Date published: 11/04/2008

Parking spaces reserved for disabled patrons at the new Moon Furniture store on Roch Valley Way have been placed as far away from the entrance as it is possible to get, in the far corner of the car park, meaning disabled patrons will not only have a distance to negotiate but will also have to negotiate any number of vehicles entering and exiting parking spaces between the disabled bays and the entrance.

A spokesman for Moon Furniture said: "Originally in all our plans the disabled parking was to be at the front near the doors and was always intended to be there - as shown in our plans before we got planning permission. However, unfortunately Rochdale Council changed their minds on the requirements needed to have a disabled car parking space and stated that you need a particular amount of room around both the side and the back of the car for safety reasons.

"Due to the road widening in the particular area in which we have created these new disabled car parking spaces there is increased room at the back of the car making it a lot safer and up to the requirements of the Rochdale Council."

Wheelchair user Malcolm Journeaux said: "This is madness, how on earth can it be safer to be on the opposite side of a car park to the entrance and have to negotiate the full length of the car park than having bays, as is usual, close by the door? In a wheelchair one cannot see above the cars and it is very difficult for drivers backing out of bays to see you; this is an accident waiting to happen."

Rochdale Council were asked for a response on Monday 7 April and have yet to provide any explanation.