Disabled parking row at Shrewsbury homes

Bollards and boulders are being installed at Porchfields, a sheltered housing development off Abbots Road, Shrewsbury, to prevent vehicles mounting kerbs and driving across to access a communal courtyard.

But some residents say they have always been able to do so and it has not caused any problems – whereas blocking it off will cause hardship for those who need to get back and forth to a car but will have trouble getting across to the road unaided.

John Speake, 84, has lived at Porchfields for 29 years, having moved in just a couple of years after it was built.

He said he was concerned for fellow residents who were used to parking close would now need a wheelchair and someone to push it to get back and forth.

He said the boulders may also be a tripping hazard for people unsteady on their feet and said the changes have only come as Sevenside Housing has become a member of larger group Housing Plus, based in Stafford.

He said: "They are saying that the brick path is not able to take traffic but we've never had trouble with it before.

"20 parking spaces is not enough for 60-odd houses with everybody coming and going."

He said he also had worries about emergency services access.

James Evans, 61, has lived there for five years and agreed.

He said: "The two options were were given were pay £40,000 to have work done to carry on parking there or we close the place off and it becomes a pedestrian area."

Porchfields comprises 42 bungalows and 24 flats providing independent living accommodation for older people and those with particular physical or learning needs.

Jan Goode, speaking for Severnside, said the move had been taken after a vehicle was seen to mount a raised kerb and drive across one of the block paved areas which provide safe walking spaces for pedestrians, then driving around a blind bend next to the communal facilities, where it parked.

She said: “It is important to understand that the decision does not represent a change of policy or any loss of amenity.

“Car parking is already provided at Porchfields and pedestrianised areas are clearly designated for the safety of residents, some of whom have significant impairment to their mobility, hearing or vision.

"These areas mean that people with disability are able to use the communal facilities and to make their way between neighbouring homes.

"The safety of residents has to be our priority and the measures we are taking have the overwhelming support of the Porchfields community.”

She said the fire authority had confirmed the installation of bollards was not an issue and the majority of the Porchfields community had supported the decision to protect pedestrianised areas on the site.