A Norfolk transport group has urged the authorities to clamp down on irresponsible motorists who are blocking specially installed ramps aimed at making it easier for disabled people and parents with prams to get onto buses.
A number of the new ramps have been put in throughout the city and across the county as part of a government drive under the Disability and Discrimination Act.
As part of the act, Norfolk County Council was allocated £10m to provide raised kerbs at all bus stops to help the easy transition of passengers, whether in wheelchairs, prams, or pushchairs, from the pavement to the bus.
But the Norwich and Norfolk Transport Action Group (NNTAG) say that money is being wasted because a lack of enforcement at the special stops, particularly on residential estates, means that many of them are blocked and buses are unable to reach them.
John Peacock, chairman of the NNTAG, said: "While many of the new bus stop ramps on main and secondary roads are equipped with 'Bus Stop Clearway' Traffic Regulation Orders to prevent illegal stopping and parking, such preventative measures appear not to be provided on most residential estates in the county.
"This is leading to many stops being blocked or obstructed by parked cars which then makes the stop useless and a waste of money. It is also discriminating against people with disabilities, the very reason the stops were installed in the first place."
Mr Peacock called on the local authorities to clamp down on the illegal parking and help give clear signals to motorists at the stops that buses must take priority.
The stance has won the support of the Norwich Access Group, part of the Norwich Coalition of Disabled People. George Saunders, chairman of the group, said: "Any illegal parking should be enforced from our point of view, particularly in places like bus stops where they've got the raised kerbs and disabled bays in car parks. It inconvenient and prevents people from using the facilities."
So far about 2,500 raised kerb stops have been installed out of a total of 5,000 which need to be in place by 2017.
A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said although the authority did not have the enforcement power, that falls into the remit of Norwich City Council, they would encourage people not to block these ramps.
He said: "We have a programme of bus stop improvement to provide easy boarding at stops throughout Norfolk, so it is frustrating if inconsiderate motorists are parking in front of them. We would urge people to be more considerate and not park in any way that obstructs their use."
A spokeswoman for Norwich City Council, said: "The council takes illegal parking very seriously, and we will enforce against people parking in marked bus stops whenever we become aware of this.
"We would urge anyone experiencing problems with cars preventing buses from stopping to contact us as soon as possible so we can investigate."
A number of the new ramps have been put in throughout the city and across the county as part of a government drive under the Disability and Discrimination Act.
As part of the act, Norfolk County Council was allocated £10m to provide raised kerbs at all bus stops to help the easy transition of passengers, whether in wheelchairs, prams, or pushchairs, from the pavement to the bus.
But the Norwich and Norfolk Transport Action Group (NNTAG) say that money is being wasted because a lack of enforcement at the special stops, particularly on residential estates, means that many of them are blocked and buses are unable to reach them.
John Peacock, chairman of the NNTAG, said: "While many of the new bus stop ramps on main and secondary roads are equipped with 'Bus Stop Clearway' Traffic Regulation Orders to prevent illegal stopping and parking, such preventative measures appear not to be provided on most residential estates in the county.
"This is leading to many stops being blocked or obstructed by parked cars which then makes the stop useless and a waste of money. It is also discriminating against people with disabilities, the very reason the stops were installed in the first place."
Mr Peacock called on the local authorities to clamp down on the illegal parking and help give clear signals to motorists at the stops that buses must take priority.
The stance has won the support of the Norwich Access Group, part of the Norwich Coalition of Disabled People. George Saunders, chairman of the group, said: "Any illegal parking should be enforced from our point of view, particularly in places like bus stops where they've got the raised kerbs and disabled bays in car parks. It inconvenient and prevents people from using the facilities."
So far about 2,500 raised kerb stops have been installed out of a total of 5,000 which need to be in place by 2017.
A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said although the authority did not have the enforcement power, that falls into the remit of Norwich City Council, they would encourage people not to block these ramps.
He said: "We have a programme of bus stop improvement to provide easy boarding at stops throughout Norfolk, so it is frustrating if inconsiderate motorists are parking in front of them. We would urge people to be more considerate and not park in any way that obstructs their use."
A spokeswoman for Norwich City Council, said: "The council takes illegal parking very seriously, and we will enforce against people parking in marked bus stops whenever we become aware of this.
"We would urge anyone experiencing problems with cars preventing buses from stopping to contact us as soon as possible so we can investigate."
Norwich Evening News, 17th October 2009
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