'How are we meant to pay?' - Accessibility advocate criticises council for not making adjustments to car parking pay machines in Northampton
A Northamptonshire accessibility advocate, known online as Disabled Adventurer, has criticised the council for not making reasonable adjustments to its car parking pay machines, after bringing in new charges for Blue Badge holders earlier this month.
Nick Wilson, who has more than 40,000 followers across his social media platforms, recorded a video at the Albion Place long stay car park in Northampton after realising he was not able to reach the pay and display machine.
The video shows the black payment meter on top of a raised platform, which he is not able to access due to the kerb blocking his wheelchair.
West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has said it is aware of the accessibility concerns in some car parks and is in the process of installing dropped kerbs or adjusting plinths to improve access.
In the video, Mr Wilson said: “How the chuffing hell is a wheelchair user meant to pay when you can’t access the pay machine?
“You could argue I could reach the tappy bit, but how am I supposed to select anything? Yes, you can pay by phone, but not everyone has the technology, the know how or stuff like that to actually be able to work that.
“If you can’t pay by phone, then how the hell are you actually supposed to pay? So, will I then get a ticket because West Northants Council haven’t made reasonable adjustments for people to be able to pay?”
As of April 1 this year, changes to the parking charges in town centre car parks now mean that Blue Badge holders must pay the same tariffs as all other users, despite previously being exempt.
In the caption on his social media post, Mr Wilson added: “If you’re going to make us pay, make the payment options accessible for all”.
Members of the public spoke at the last full council meeting in March about the impact that the new charges would have on their lives, and shared fears that it would stop many disabled people from coming into town.
A proposal from the Labour group for the cabinet to review its parking charges decisions ultimately fell. A further Liberal Democrat motion asking the council to re-establish the West Northamptonshire Disabled People’s Forum and create disability champions following the Blue Badge charging decision was also withdrawn due to the meeting overrunning.
The LDRS is aware of six car parks within central Northampton with accessibility concerns due to raised kerbs blocking access from the payment machines. These include Albion Place long stay, The Ridings short stay, Abington Place long stay, Commercial Street South short stay, Melbourne Street long stay, and Campbell Square long stay.
A council spokesman said: “We are aware of the accessibility concerns raised about payment machines in some council‑owned car parks and are in the process of installing dropped kerbs or adjusting plinths to improve access. We will update the council website as this work progresses.
“Customers can use alternative payment methods including pay by phone at Pay & Display sites as well as registering on the West Park app or paying at the exits at any ANPR controlled car park. In addition, accessible machines are available in all council operated multi‑storey car parks”
The LDRS asked WNC if disabled car park users who also cannot use a payment app on their phones could be at risk of getting a parking fine, or if it could be waived due to the current accessibility issues.
A spokesman said that parking charge appeals are reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis, and “anyone who believes their circumstances warrant consideration is encouraged to submit an appeal”.