Parking ban debate

MEMBERS of the public met on Monday to discuss concerns over plans to ban all disabled parking on Bridge Street from April.

The meeting, organised by Disablity Nottinghamshire in conjunction with MP John Mann, gave residents the chance to air their views over the proposed traffic order for the town centre.

Notts County Council is piloting the six-month order to clamp down on illegal parking on the pedestrianised areas of Bridge Street and Bridge Place.

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Residents said walking the extra distance would prove an impossibility for many people with disabilities.

Sharon Hall said her mum and partner would really struggle to get into town under the new parking rules.

“Neither of them can walk very far so they need to be able to park outside the shop,” she said.

“My mum’s partner has had two heart attacks and it could happen again at anytime.”

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Raymond Hatfield said the issue of bikes using Bridge Street needed to be addressed.

“It’s a complete nightmare - it makes it dangerous for anyone using Bridge Street. The situation really needs sorting out,” he said.

“There’s also no rear access to the banks and solicitors on Bridge Street, so it’s going to be very hard for any elderly or disabled people to access these essential services.”

Phillip Allcroft said he had ‘major’ concerns about the proposed alternative of parking on double yellow lines.

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“My mobility is very limited already and it’s going to be very dangerous opening my car door into oncoming traffic. They just haven’t thought this through,” he said.

Residents agreed a sensible solution and compromise would be to allow disabled parking access at a specific time slot during the week.

MP John Mann praised them for putting forward a ‘reasoned argument’ for to take to Notts County Council’s Highways team.

People want to be able to be in a position where they can access their own town centre on a regular basis,” he said.

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“But people are quite happy to compromise and ask that we give full access at a restricted time so they can carry on their independence.”

Bassetlaw Council officials were on hand to answer questions at the meeting, but Notts County Council declined the invite to attend.

Notts County Council’s major projects and improvements team manager Neil Hodgson said they decided not to attend to allow people to ‘concisely log’ their concerns with third parties.

“It was a very productive session, and all concerns and complaints were clearly logged. Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, Coun Richard Jackson, will be considering all comments received to date in respect of the proposals including those views recorded at the meeting,” he said.

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It is anticipated that, subject to consideration by Cabinet Member and processing of legal requirements, the order will come into effect during April or May.”

“Full details will be made public in advance of any changes taking place and additional spaces will be made available in the Bassetlaw off street car parks to co-incide with the changes.”

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