Published: Thursday, 28th August, 2008 10:40
Dunfermline shopping centre slammed for disabled parking charges
By Siew Peng Lee
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THE ENLARGED Kingsgate shopping centre has been condemned for charging for the use of its disabled parking bays.
A disabled person, who did not want to be identified, criticised the disabled parking facilities at the shopping centre.
And a leading disability worker was also critical, and claimed the introduction of charges for the disabled came without warning.
In a letter to the Press, the disabled person said, “Most of the disabled bays in Dunfermline have been taken up by taxis now, and in the Press two weeks ago it was stated that there would be plenty of disabled bays in the new Kingsgate.
“There is not enough of them, but what shocked and disgusted me is that they are charging the disabled to park in the disabled bays.
“It’s the only shopping centre in Scotland that I know of which discriminates against the disabled for parking. Asda, Tesco and the Queen Margaret Hospital all provide free parking for the disabled.”
The person was also unhappy with seating arrangements at Kingsgate, saying, “The level I was on in the new Kingsgate had no benches – no seating at all for the disabled to have a rest.”
Bill Gray, Fife Disability Network’s spokesperson for West Fife, said the parking charges were “a big change for disabled people in Dunfermline”.
He explained, “The car park used to be owned by the council but when the Kingsgate was redeveloped the council sold the car park to the company, and it’s quite common for car park operators to charge anybody who uses it.
“The worst bit is that it was not common knowledge that this was going to happen. Fife Council could have warned people that when the Kingsgate opened, it was chargeable to disabled people.”
Mr Gray said there had been a notice put up at the centre that Shopmobility would open in December, which could lead to free parking, “but that depends on what agreement Fife Council can come up with the car parking people”.
The car park is run by Apcoa, a tenant of the Kingsgate.
No statements were issued from Kingsgate developers Mivan but a spokesperson for Apcoa said, “We provide spaces for all car users including those with a disability; all car users are treated equally and fairly.
“The parking tariffs are appropriate for a short-stay shoppers’ car park, and the number of disabled bays are decided under the planning consent and building controls for the car park.”
On the issue of seating, Kingsgate manager Neil Mackie said, “There are definitely facilities on both levels, not just for the disabled but for everyone to sit and have a rest.
“We are actually replacing the seating in the older section of the Kingsgate with new seating and new mall furniture, and that improvement will take place throughout the next week or so.”
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