Taxi drivers in Oldham have been using disabled bays at a car park as a makeshift rank, causing issues for disabled people who need those spaces. Vicky Riley reported being late for medical appointments due to the problem at New Radcliffe Street car park. This issue arose when a taxi rank on Dan Fold was relocated to the car park for building work, reducing the number of disabled bays from 27 to 20. Oldham Council has stated that they are working to put in more disabled bays nearby to address the situation.
The relocation of the taxi rank to the car park was part of the town centre’s regeneration, which required the closure of the previous rank on Dan Fold. Most visitors to the Oldham’s Integrated Care Centre (ICC) use the New Radcliffe Street car park, making the lack of available disabled bays particularly problematic. Ms. Riley described the scene as “absolute carnage,” with taxi drivers occupying the disabled bays and causing delays for disabled drivers. Despite displaying her blue badge, Ms. Riley was warned that she would receive a ticket if she parked in a disabled bay.
Ms. Riley, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a young age, explained that the ICC does have a parking lot, but it is rarely used by disabled individuals due to its location at the bottom of a steep hill. The nearby Civic Centre car park, which is not free, only has two disabled bays available. The council noted that a section of the car park off Fountain Street was designated as a replacement location for the taxi rank, with plans to create six new disabled bays directly in front of the ICC building to mitigate the impact of the changes.
The closure of the previous taxi rank at Snipe Inn was necessary for the demolition of the building and the creation of an entrance to the town centre from the bus station. The council spokesperson emphasized that efforts are being made to expedite the installation of additional disabled bays to alleviate the situation. It is crucial to maintain accessible parking options for individuals with disabilities, and the council’s commitment to addressing this issue is essential for ensuring equal access to essential services.
In conclusion, the use of disabled bays by taxi drivers in Oldham has caused difficulties for disabled individuals like Vicky Riley, who rely on those spaces to attend appointments at the Integrated Care Centre. The relocation of the taxi rank to the car park during town centre regeneration work has reduced the number of disabled bays available, leading to congestion and delays for disabled drivers. Oldham Council is working to install more disabled bays nearby to address the issue and ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to essential services. It is important to prioritize accessible parking options to support the needs of the disabled community and prevent incidents of misuse or obstruction of disabled bays.
