Question
I have been issued with a blue badge from Wokingham Borough Council because I cannot walk 20m.
I am a member of the 1 life and am a regular user of the gym/pool at the Carnival Pool, attend a weekly yoga session at St Crispin's Leisure Centre and the gym at Loddon Valley - all run by WDC for people with long term conditions.
I have Primary Progressive MS diagnosed in 1998 - as part of my condition I have to maintain my fitness which is vital for therapy/rehabilitation and retain my independence
I have a blue badge and use a rollator (granny walker) to get in and out of the gym - I can manage to use equipment in the gym but cannot walk very far.
Recently there have been 4 disabled spaces near the main entrance, which apart from able-bodied people abusing the spaces!, has been ideal for me to stagger in and out of the gym.
The Council have re-located the disabled parking spaces into the new car park which is too far for me to walk and the disabled spaces are too far away at St Crispin's and Loddon Valley.
The Council claim that they meet the British Standards for disability, by putting benches en-route.
They think it is OK for disabled people to sit outside in the winter time, in the rain etc - I am pretty sure the BS recommends that benches are used, they need to be covered and well lit.
Why have the Council removed disabled spaces outside the Carnival Pool and moved them into the new car park meaning people who have long term conditions who cannot walk, but want to be independent, cannot use the facility?
Minutes:
I have been issued with a blue badge from Wokingham Borough Council because I cannot walk 20m. I am a member of the 1 life and am a regular user of the gym/pool at the Carnival Pool, attend a weekly yoga session at St Crispin's Leisure Centre and the gym at Loddon Valley - all run by WBC for people with long term conditions.
I have Primary Progressive MS diagnosed in 1998 - as part of my condition I have to maintain my fitness which is vital for therapy/rehabilitation and retain my independence. I have a blue badge and use a rollator (granny walker) to get in and out of the gym - I can manage to use equipment in the gym but cannot walk very far.
Recently there have been 4 disabled spaces near the main entrance, which apart from able-bodied people abusing the spaces!, has been ideal for me to stagger in and out of the gym. The Council have re-located the disabled parking spaces into the new car park which is too far for me to walk and the disabled spaces are too far away at St Crispin's and Loddon Valley.
The Council claim that they meet the British Standards for disability, by putting benches en-route. They think it is OK for disabled people to sit outside in the winter time, in the rain, etc. I am pretty sure the BS recommends that benches are used, they need to be covered and well lit.
Why have the Council removed disabled spaces outside the Carnival Pool and moved them into the new car park meaning people who have long term conditions who cannot walk, but want to be independent, cannot use the facility?
Since the question was submitted the Council has put in four disabled spaces slightly nearer to the gym, but still too far away and the access for resting places is still not right.
Answer
Disabled access and parking are and have been an important element in the detailed planning for the Carnival redevelopment. However, your comments make it clear to us that the current arrangements are not suitable for all of our residents with disabilities.
The disabled parking spaces you refer to that were recently removed, were temporary spaces to allow disabled access to the leisure centre while the multi storey car park was under construction. As the car park is now complete, the temporary spaces were removed.
We have identified a location to provide some additional disabled parking spaces, that you referred to, on a temporary basis while the existing leisure centre is demolished and the second phase of the redevelopment is built. We are currently arranging for the spaces to be marked, which should then improve accessibility for disabled users.
The Carnival leisure centre redevelopment includes a pedestrianised area, with two coach parking spaces and an area for emergency services. It was decided during the masterplanning of the site that the overall best solution regarding access was for the disabled parking spaces to be located in the multi storey car park, which is directly adjacent to the main pedestrian entrance.
Best practice in disabled car parking standards was taken into account in the design of the site. Specifically: British Standard 8300:2009 (Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people) sets out that access routes on level ground should have resting places not more than 50m apart for people with limited mobility. We have provided level surfaces and benches in this area to provide for resting opportunities in compliance with the British Standard guidance.
However, having received your comments, we are now implementing a temporary solution that will provide better access during the building of phase two of the redevelopment and I think that your point is that they are not in the right place. In that case I will look into that for you.
Supplementary Question
The supplementary question is around the facilities now, in the interim with the new build and the future of the new build. There is a concern that there is no current pick up or drop off space or covered sheltered resting place in an appropriate place. The new spaces are adjacent to the rear of the building, adjacent to some old benches that are not covered and there is nothing in between. We would like to know what consultation has happened with people with disabilities and protected characteristic. Under the legislation you refer to, with regard to new facilities in the Borough, what detailed consultation has happened in relation to the design of the new build facilities?
Supplementary Answer
That is a very detailed question, so I will get a written reply, probably from another department of the Council.