Disabled shopper feels discriminated against in Hanley

Stoke-on-Trent’s Birch Terrace car park, just next to the shop mobility centre, has been closed for over a year

Inadequate disabled parking and pedestrian areas being used by cars have left a resident feeling "unsafe".

June from Stoke-on-Trent has metal rods in her spine and legs and regularly goes into Hanley town centre.

Birch Terrace car park by the Shopmobility centre has nine off-road disabled bays but was shut over a year ago for the Etruscan Square development which did not happen.

June, from Tunstall, said she felt "discriminated against."

She explained the issues in a walk around the town centre with her MP Jonathan Gullis, starting at Birch Terrace car park.

"This car park is really ideal for disabled people and how the disabled pegs have been laid out," June said.

Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis walked around the town with June

"Now it's all closed down. They've put us out on the street.

"We need time to get out of the car and the doors have to be wide open," she added.

Councillor Amjid Wazir said the land is earmarked for redevelopment.

MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central Jo Gideon, whose constituency includes the town centre, suggests using spaces on Old Hall Street, and others on Burton Place and Charles Street.

June shows these alternative spaces to Mr Gullis and, on a relatively quiet January morning, all of them are full.

When space opens up, another car is ready to take its place.

June says it is typical for disabled spaces to be fully occupied on Old Hall Street in Hanley

Around the corner, Parliament Square causes concern for June, with cars regularly using the pedestrian area as a turning circle.

Mr Wazir said: "We are aware of issues with delivery and takeaway drivers parking and driving through the pedestrian zone in and around Parliament Row, close to McDonald's, and we share the frustration felt by visitors to the city centre area."

Taxi company Uber said: "The safety of customers and the general public is a top priority.

"All couriers are required to adhere to the Highway Code, and any reports of couriers breaching road laws can result in a courier being removed from the Uber Eats app."

Many of the cars turning in this area were seen with food bags with the branding of various delivery services

Deliveroo insisted that every rider completes a programme of road safety guidance and when an incident is reported, it investigates and works closely with the local authorities to take appropriate action.

Staffordshire Police said it had been working with Stoke-on-Trent City Council to target drivers who don't meet the appropriate road safety standards.

This included issuing tickets as part of parking enforcement, speaking to drivers about using the roads appropriately and engaging with local delivery services and drivers in the area.

Parking Enforcement officers visit the location daily and have issued 61 penalty charge notices since the start of December.

However, June believes regular delivery drivers monitor the wardens' patrols and warn each other of their approach to avoid a fine.

This area left empty once the warden appears

Mr Gullis said he was concerned by his walk through the town.

"It's 11:00 GMT in the morning, and we're now into the tens of vehicles we've seen turning around in a pedestrian area," he said.

"We need to make sure people are being done for turning in a pedestrian area," Mr Gullis added.

"Clearly, we need to have a parking strategy. What do we want car parking to be like in our city centre?

"Where is it going to go and also what accessibility are we going to have for those who have disabled passes as well as taxi drivers, delivery drivers and buses in order to better connect our communities?"