Carpark for disabled sought

Mobility park card-holder Christine Simpson would like to see a  car park for the disabled...
Mobility park card-holder Christine Simpson would like to see a car park for the disabled outside Happiness House. Photo by Christina McDonald.
A Queenstown man who regularly takes his disabled wife to Happiness House for therapy says he faces no choice other than to dangerously double-park when dropping off his wife.

Dave Simpson said his wife could not walk long distances and while she held a disabled parking sticker, there were no such parks outside the house, on Park St.

"I'm sure she's not the only disabled person [who visits the house]," he said.

He has contacted Queenstown Lakes District Council for what he believes is just "a lick of paint", saying it was no-one's fault there was no park but he was speaking out because "the public have to take some responsibility".

He also said the resort did not have enough parks for the disabled in general, which was disappointing given the poor access available to people in wheelchairs.

"We visit Happiness House one to two times a week and nine out of 10 times I have to double-park ... it's a busy thoroughfare.

"It's very dangerous, " Mr Simpson said.

Queenstown Lakes District Council transport manager Denis Mander said local authorities were "more aware" of providing access for disabled people.

"We get requests from the Disability Resource Centre, and over the last couple of years have been adding more." Mr Mander said if Mr Simpson's request for a park for the disabled was approved, it would be late September to early October before the park was ready, because of the council's six-weekly meeting cycles.

After investigating the matter and consulting the public, a report has to go to the infrastructure services committee then on to a full council meeting to ensure the parking restrictions will be enforced by parking officers.

A park for the disabled at the Queenstown Botanic Gardens had been approved and one near the Memorial Hall was put in around three months ago, as well as another in lower Beach St, he said.

 

 

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