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Restore these disabled spaces


SIR — I am writing in support of a call on your letters page last week, not only to restore the disabled parking spaces in Winchester High Street, but also to make parking available there all day for members of the public who have a blue badge.

The previous rules were restrictive enough — no parking between 11am and 3pm — but now the ‘no parking’ time has been recently extended an hour either side, from 10am to 4pm.

I have already received a number of complaints from out of town carers who are just trying to do their best for the people they care for — taking them to the opticians, food and clothes shopping, the doctors, etc.

Recently councillors heard ideas for improved accessibility in Winchester, and I argued that parking right in the central area is a key issue for quality of life for disabled people.

They don’t want charity, just practical help to reach the commercial centre of this historic town, and these spaces did just that.

But many disabled people have difficulty even getting to town before 10am, or after 4pm, let alone completing an appointment in the limited time left in the day.

I have appealed for residents on this very point recently, but was told by the council that it makes it difficult for buses. How?

And even if it does, isn’t that a balance worth considering?

Come on Winchester City Council — think of others for once, and give us back the disabled spaces in the High Street.

Cllr Jackie Porter, Main Road, Itchen Abbas.


Your Say YourHampshire

Mike Davies, Rayleigh says...
12:31pm Thu 11 Jun 09

I absolutely agree with Cllr Porter. Blue Badge holders should be able to park in these spaces all day. This is a matter for the Town Forum who by increasing the restictions are giving the message that disabled people are not important. How dare they be so arrogant!

mjh, Winchester says...
9:58pm Fri 12 Jun 09

I disagree with Cllr Porter - there are plenty of places of disabled people to park in the city centre e.g. The Brooks - its just that, like everyone else, they would have to pay for them. Being disabled does not necessarily mean that you are poor!
Also many of the people who park in the High Street go on to ignore the No Right Turn/Buses Only signs between Sainsburys and Marks and Spencer - they don't seem to think that these signs apply to them either because "I've got a permit"!

M F Davies, Winchester says...
6:44am Sat 13 Jun 09

mjh. Are you disabled? If not I hope you never end up in a wheelchair or on crutches and have to get from the depths of the Brooks Car Park to M&S or Sainsburys!!! How about a bit of compassion for others? This attitude is the big problem in today's society. Me me me and to hell with everyone else.

mjh, Winchester says...
9:27pm Sun 14 Jun 09

I am not disabled yet (I have advanced cancer so who knows what the future holds) but my recent experience of a "disabled driver" is the one who drove straight at me whilst attempting to park on the pavement area behind Marks and Spencer (once again ignoring the rules of the road that apply to everyone else) and thought that her "permit" meant she could endanger other road users with impunity. This is a pedestrian precinct, not a car park - so perhaps the council could make the spaces in Market Street over to disabled parking and give up the revenue from them.

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