A motorist says she does not feel welcome in Lichfield anymore after changes were made to on street parking provision.
Many blue badge bays were removed during the Covid pandemic to aid social distancing.
Some were used to allow restaurants and bars to serve outdoors, while other spaces were taken out of use to create space when people were queuing outside shops.
Although replacement disabled spaces were introduced in nearby car parks, many on street bays have not returned following the removal of Covid restrictions – something being questioned by disabled motorists.
Dawn Burnage said there was no reason why some of the spaces could not be reinstated.
“I couldn’t park in the town at all, as Bore Street was full with not only disabled but the cafe tables, which I have no objection to, a skip and a highway lorry.
“All I wanted was the bank, nowhere else and I wanted to go in on sticks instead of unloading my scooter.
“The council used the excuse of Covid outside the banks to stop us parking, which I understand because of people queuing outside them.
“We don’t have to social distance anymore, so why are they still stopping us from parking in the spaces not occupied by cafe tables?
“I, like others, don’t feel welcome in the city anymore.”
Dawn Burnage
Lichfield District Council has recently completed a consultation on continuing with plans for pavement cafes, revealing an “overwhelming” majority backed them.
But Dawn said many of those impacted by the removal of the spaces may not have been aware it was taking place.
“The whole point of a blue badge is that you are unable to walk any distance – not everyone has access to mobility aids like scooters or electric wheelchairs, and we just want to feel normal, not a nuisance.
“The council did a survey about keeping the street cafes but I and others don’t feel it was fair. As far as we are aware, this was online only, and I only saw it because someone had shared it.
“Also, a lot of pensioners don’t do social media or even know how to use the internet. With all the retirement homes being built, disabled parking is needed more than ever.
“I, like a lot of other people, don’t feel welcome anymore, so as a result we shop elsewhere.
“People are moaning about shops closing but if we can’t access the centre, we can’t shop locally anymore.”
Dawn Burnage
Lichfield District Council has been asked for comment.
A spokesperson for the local authority has previously said:
“We are committed to making Lichfield city centre a vibrant, safe and exciting place to live work and play.
“Car parking for blue badge holders is a vital consideration and while some parking bays have been moved to accommodate the pavement cafes, we have allocated alternative blue badge parking spaces in the city centre at Bird Street Car Park and Lombard Street Car Park.
“As a council we will ensure we communicate with any affected residents and visitors to ensure parking is well signposted.
“We would also like to reiterate that blue badge holders can park in any council owned car park for free, if they display their badge.
“We are always looking for ways to balance the needs of different people and to support our disabled residents and visitors.
“We have contracted disability consultancy AccessAble to review the parking provision in Lichfield city centre and we look forward to receiving their report.”
Lichfield District Council spokesperson
