DISABLED people are being forced to make a choice between using a car park or using a swimming pool according to a borough councillor.
The claim was made after a disabled resident was given a parking ticket for parking outside Carnival Pool, although they say that the centre’s staff had told them it was OK to do so.
And when they went to the website listed on the parking ticket they found that it doesn’t exist.
Cllr Imogen Shepherd-DuBey told The Wokingham Paper that the situation had been “going on for a while”.
“I’m amazed that they’ve not had a parking ticket until now. But there’s no road markings [outside Carnival Pool] whatsoever.”
The disabled person involved – who did not want to be named – said that they had been told that the spaces outside Carnival Pool were removed because of the new multi-storey car park.
But the protester said that this was too far from the pool. Because of their disability, they couldn’t walk very far, and only used a wheelchair if they had too.
Cllr Shepherd-DuBey said: “The excuse from the council was that there’s a bench halfway. They’re expecting people to make it to the bench and rest in winter or in the rain. When they can, they can get back up again and get going to the centre.
“It doesn’t meet the requirements. Basically, services Wokingham Borough Council provide have to be accessible to all residents. You can’t build a pool that disabled people can’t use.
“By forcing disabled people to use the car park, it means they can’t use the pool.”
And the councillor said that she had spoken to pool staff, who were sympathetic to their customer’s plight.
“He parked his car outside the pool, the staff knew he was there. There are no lines and no signs. His blue badge has a two-hour limit on it, but despite that the parking warden gave them a ticket.”
“I think it’s disgusting, it’s not on. It’s the 21st century and they should be building things for people to use.”
And the disabled person said that the car park “discourages me from doing exercise in the pool”.
“It’s appalling discrimination against people who can’t walk. Someone, somewhere are not thinking about people like me. I’m suffering – I just want to use the facilities.
“All I’m trying to do here is make a point: move the disabled spaces closer to the building.”
Cllr Stuart Munro, executive member for business and economic development and regeneration defended the new parking facilities.
He said: “Disabled access was raised during consultation for the Carnival redevelopment.
“Spaces for easy access have been created next to the pedestrian entrance. The spaces between benches – no more than 50 metres apart – comply with British Standard guidance.
“Because under planning we need to accommodate coaches outside the car park, there isn’t enough space for disabled parking.
“We did put temporary disabled spaces next to the leisure centre while the car park was being built, and we plan to reinstall them until phase II begins.
“Anyone with a parking ticket can appeal via our website: http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/parking-road-works-and-transport/parking-and-permits/pay-or-appeal-a-parking-fine.”
