Mapping the route of access row

Published 14 Jul 2011 09:30 5 Comments

As a long time member of Reading Access Forum (20 years) I feel I just have to support Gareth Epps (The Chronicle, July 7, "Impact on disabled not considered" ) regarding the new parking arrangements for blue badge holders in Reading town centre.

Gareth was chairman of the forum from June 2010 until March 2011.

The forum meets four times a year. The highways department did attend all of these meetings and some of the ones previous to Gareth being chairman.

At each of the meetings we were shown plans and maps of Friar Street and West Street around the station and how work was progressing.

I personally asked at all of these meetings where the disabled parking bays would be and was told we would have the same number of bays but they couldn't say where they would be until they had decided where bus stops were to be situated. I also asked about maps and press releases warning disabled drivers of changes. I was promised these would be implemented weeks before the changes. We did a town centre tour of the works in September to ensure that they were not impeding anyone with a disability.

We even popped into the information centre in Cross Street to see if any maps were available, we were told no. We were shown plans but disabled bays were not on any plans. At no time were we told that there was to be 11am to 4pm parking only in all the most crucial parking bays.

So why were there no press releases or maps in advance for blue badge holders?

There were press releases for pedestrians, bus users and cyclists.

I called in at the Cross Street information centre regularly, needing maps and information for my MS members. I contacted the highways department and tried the RBC website all to no avail. I finally got a map on the day that the changes came into force.

So far I have had 135 members contact me bitterly disappointed that they can no longer shop easily.

Many are now forced to shop in Basingstoke, Bracknell and Maidenhead. One lady said she felt Reading no longer wanted her. Many asked how were they to take their children into town after school or meet up with their partners for an after work meal?

Yes there is the same number of bays but most are on the outskirts of the main shopping area, making it impossible to wheel yourself say from King's Road uphill into Market Place or Broad Street.

The map I was given on the day of the changes has already lost two of its most precious bays in the centre of Friar Street. They have gone over to taxi bays. Why? Perhaps taxi drivers are more important than disabled drivers or they can shout louder.

I personally feel very let down. Over the years I have worked for a town that I love trying to make it accessible to everyone, not just the young and fit. What has the town centre manager got to say on this matter?

In the present economic climate I would have thought Reading can ill afford to lose regular shoppers to other towns.

Diane Goodlock

Access officer, Reading, Wokingham and districts MS Society

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This letter appeared in Reading Chronicle 15 Jul 11

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

• 

  Huffmum
  Unregistered User
  Jul 16, 23:49
  Report comment

  Here Here!
  
  Reading Council should be ashamed. Perhaps if disabled drivers went on a go slow like the taxi drivers we would get our bays back!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 9     No 28

• 

  sexylady
  Unregistered User
  Aug 2, 19:28
  Report comment

  I think Reading Council are trying to be very fair to everyone to ensure everyone has access, safely. They have obviously spent considerable time on this matter - it does not appear to be a knee jerk reaction!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 48     No 9

• 

  Huffmum
  Unregistered User
  Aug 11, 22:34
  Report comment

  No doubt Sexylady can still access all the town when ever she likes.
  
  Without committing any crime I am under a curfew. Please forgive me if I should have the gall to complain.
  
  If the council has spent so long on this then please explain why the traders, disabled and the taxi drivers are all so unhappy and how the "consultations" took place without the council knowing where they were going to put the disabled bays?
  
  A knee jerk reaction no. A fair response to a very unfair situation created by a Pat Baxter and her team who clearly have no understanding of the needs of the disabled people in the community she is employed to serve - definitely.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 10     No 20

• 

  sexylady
  Unregistered User
  Aug 13, 09:59
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  Thank you for your reply, I can access the town, despite disabilities and those of my family. I am happy to live in a society where there is freedom and respect for all not just me. We all have problems and I am fed up with those with so much time on their hands saying its not fair, I want this and I want that, I should have this because I have always had it or because I've got this and I need that. I've passed the test you haven't, I am qualified you're not etc....
  
  When I ask for help I could almost cry with the level of support I get from ordinary people in the street (and those working in authority) and I say thank you to them now, with a positive caring attitude it works.
  
  
  
  I took a step back and decided to cope with all my problems and guess what I found others treated me wonderfully. I am grateful if somebody allows me more room when I need it and offers to help instead of expecting it. It is not always about me it 's about me and working with and around others: If somebody can't see something needs fixing I do point it out and I do ask for help, and it does get resolved. I am now much happier simply living in society rather than grumbling and attempting to take everything I may or may not be (selfishly/morally) entitled to and I try to fight against spending so much time thinking it's not fair!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 24     No 8

• 

  Huffmum
  Unregistered User
  Aug 13, 22:05
  Report comment

  Sexylady,
  
  This has nothing to do with being grateful for the assistance provided by kind individuals or about having time to whine. I am extremely grateful to all the people who have helped me in so may ways but you can not expect anyone to relay on the kindness of others for their survival.
  
  Disabled people have been fighting for the right to to access for many years so that we do not have to rely on the charity of others.
  
  I work, I claim no benefits, I own my own home and my own car. The only thing I need to maintain my independence is places to park which allow me to access facilities such as shops and my opticians, my doctors and my place of work. If you deny me access then you force me to become a burden on the state as I could no longer do my job, my shopping or access health care without assistance.
  
  Your attitude belongs in the dark ages!
  
  Recommend?   Yes 8     No 36

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