CCS Disability Action Group Praises Council On Carparking Trial

A trial underway to improve vehicle access in Invercargill for those with disabilities appears to be a New Zealand first.

Resident Jack Lovett-Hurst spoke to the Infrastructure and Projects Committee on Wednesday about his struggle finding enough space to unload into the disability parking in the city centre.

Parks currently set aside for taxis and other private vehicles carrying disabled people were not wide enough to fit the drop down ramps for wheelchairs, Jack said.

In one of the designated spots it was “impossible” to put down a ramp as the space needed to be at least four metres wide, and resulted in him being offloaded into the busy traffic.

“So vehicles end up just double parking because there is not enough space.” Vehicles were also using loading zones instead.

CCS Disability Action NZ access co-ordinator Mary O’Brien also spoke to the committee online, in support of Jack, and to shed more light on the issue.

Working with councils around the country to improve access for disabled people, she said the trial was an excellent idea and congratulated the Invercargill City Council on its initiative.

CCS currently supported 5000 people nationally and 150,000 were currently mobility permit holders.

“I’m not aware of any other trials like this in New Zealand and I’m impressed and want to work more with you on this.”

She said there was not enough spaces around the country for disabled access, and mobility parking also lended itself to a high rate of abuse through its enforcement.