The wait is finally over for 30 fortunate families who will be getting disabled parking spots in the next twelve months, some of whom have been waiting for years.
Officers confirmed the decision this week, after years wrangling over funding, and lengthy delays while new qualifying criteria were eventually produced.
Mark Kenyon, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Grotton, Springhead & Lees, took up the cause after being contacted by a frustrated resident over a year ago and has led a campaign to provide disabled parking bays.
Councillor Kenyon said: “Despite welcoming the decision by this council to provide these 30 spaces, I’m also incensed that there’s at least another 30 families who have missed out. A disabled parking spot is not a perk to be won in a council lottery, it’s a lifeline. Covid has increased isolation across our area, and disabled parking spaces give people the same freedom and choices that many of us take for granted – if we go out of the house, we can get back in again.
“Conservative cuts have forced difficult choices on councils across the land, but how our council can spend millions on a shopping centre but not find it in their heart or their pockets to finance disabled parking spaces for 3 years is beyond me.”
Applicants who have been successful are being notified over the next few weeks.
Councillor Kenyon concluded: “I’m happy for those 30 families who have been successful, but I’ve not forgotten those who have missed out – the fight for fairness goes on.”