Disabled OAP, 85, is left to struggle

A FAILSWORTH councillor has been left fuming after a year-long campaign for a disabled parking bay for an 85-year-old woman was branded as inefficient.

Councillor Ian Barker, Failsworth West, has been campaigning for the parking bay for disabled resident May Crowley, from Hulmes Road, ever since she contacted him last June.

As there is no parking allowed outside her own home, Mrs Crowley, who has mobility problems and has also suffered a stroke, requested a parking bay on near-by Newton Road.

Despite repeated requests, the markings have still not been put down — so Councillor Barker offered £1,200 out of his own councillor’s budget to get the work done.

He was stunned to be told that it would be inefficient for Unity — which provides highways services for Oldham Council — to carry out the work on a single bay.

He said: “I am extremely perplexed as to how this work can be seen as inefficient.

“Apart from the fact that the request has been in for a year, the lady is registered disabled and is in need of this space.

“Mrs Crowley pays her council tax like everyone else so why should she not be able to call on services when she needs them?

“It is outrageous.”

He added: “The money is there, I have offered to provide it myself, they just won’t spend it.

“In fact, if they give me a pot of paint I will paint it myself as well.”

Mrs Crowley’s daughter Christine, who is her principal carer, said Newton Road is usually crowded with other residents’ cars and her mother has often been forced to struggle more than 50 yards to their car.

Christine said: “Mum can’t really walk without the help of one or two people. Finding a parking space in Newton Road is especially difficult when there is bad weather.

“Having a designated space would mean she would not have to worry any more, it would improve her quality of life no end.”

Councillor Jackie Stanton, cabinet member for customer services and UNITY Partnership, said representatives had previously met with Councillor Barker and explained the process.

She said: “Unfortunately, just providing the £1,200 of funding required will not resolve this matter quickly.

“A traffic order must be lodged and advertised.

“Then the process has to follow a legal path and objections may be raised.

“A budget for 2009-10 for works such as these is currently awaiting approval.

“This proposal will be considered alongside others when the work priorities are then set.”