Wheelchair users, other disabled people and mothers with prams are being forced onto the road because pavements are being blocked by street furniture in Maryport, Cumbroa, Times & Star writes.
Maryport town councillor Peter Mallyon, chairman of Allerdale Disabilities and a member of Allerdale COSC, who is himself disabled, raised the issue of street furniture after seeing a person in a wheelchair being forced into the road in the face of oncoming traffic because of tables and chairs outside a town centre café.
Mr Mallyon said there are parts of the town centre where it is impossible to pass. Mayor Peter Kendall said the problems of street furniture has been highlighted with the team looking to regenerate Maryport’s high streets. He said: “There used to be a time when people had flag signs at window height. “Our pavements are narrow and there seems to be an increasing number of people in mobile scooters, wheelchairs and young families with prams.” Mr Kendall added that the problems are further exacerbated by the number of cars parked on pavements around the town.
Linda Radcliffe said she knew of a wheelchair bound neighbour who had been able to get out of her home because of cars parked on the pavement and because of wheelie bins. Mr Kendall agreed that this was a problem and would become a greater one if the town centre regeneration included building or occupying more flats. The Maryport Town Council has agreed to write to Allerdale and Cumbria county councils to help solve the problem.
