PRIOR to the alterations taking place in Market Street, Bury, disabled drivers were allowed to park in front of the Derby Hall. There was room for half a dozen cars, which could park for three hours.

Following the refurbishment, these spaces were taken away and only three spaces were allowed on the opposite side with restricted parking of one hour. How disabled people cope when visiting the Ribblesdale House doctors' surgery, I can only guess.

As a result, drivers started to park in Crompton Street, opposite the old post office. That side of the street was always full of disabled drivers' cars, now two-thirds of that street has been designated "loading bays" (which I must point out are not clearly marked, being on signs which are eight feet high and which had to be pointed out to us by a warden. We had difficulty in seeing it and so would partially-sighted people).

On Friday, December 10, there were four traffic wardens in Crompton Street at 11am, presumably waiting to serve notices on disabled drivers who had not seen the "change of priority" sign.

Disabled parking places in and about the precinct are totally inadequate. Disabled drivers should not have to push wheelchairs across a road of moving traffic to get to the precinct. I know street parking is available to Blue Badge holders but have any of our councillors tried to find a parking spot close to the precinct on Wednesday, Friday or Saturday?

There are enough designated parking spots available to taxis, so why is the same consideration not given to disabled drivers? More designated parking spots should be allocated on The Rock on the precinct side, and why not take some of the taxi spots away from Kay Gardens and relocate them.

There are three parking spots on The Rock with three-hour stay; three parking spots in front of the Derby Hall with one-hour stay; and around half a dozen spots in the car park. This is totally inadequate for a town the size of Bury.

I should point out that I have never once been challenged by a warden to prove that the badge-holder is actually in the car. That is why we have photographs in our Blue Badges. But of course there is no financial return for wardens through this sort of activity.

Isn't it time Bury MBC got its act together with regard to disabled parking facilities around the precinct?

DISGRUNTLED

WHEELCHAIR-PUSHER