LAKEWOOD residents expressed fury this week as an upgrade was carried out at the direct-to-boot car spaces outside Woolworths in the shopping complex on Botanic Drive.
An extension of a kerbed area to join it up to a speed hump now prevents mobility devices such as scooters and wheelchairs accessing the footpath, and the designated ramp on the other side of the kerb has a gradient which advocates say does not meet Australian standards, making it therefore unsafe to use.
Local disability support worker Kris Glasspell said the situation was “outrageous”.
“This carpark was poor before, but these so-called improvements have made it much worse,” she said.
“Priority has been given to the direct-to-boot car spaces with no thought to disabled parking.
“I’m disgusted with whoever was responsible and have lodged a complaint with centre management.”
Further frustration has been caused by two of the four disabled parking spaces at the complex being blocked off for use by tradespeople working onsite and their materials, leading to many elderly and disabled residents having to cross the breadth of the carpark to access the shops, raising safety concerns.
In response to questions regarding the unauthorised use of disabled parking spaces by onsite tradespeople, and increased safety risk to those using mobility devices in light of the newly installed kerb area, a spokesperson for Bendel Property Group advised NOTA: “We are currently doing substantial amenity improvements which also includes upgrading the area noted below. These are expected to be completed early next week.”
Camden Haven Chamber of Commerce president Luke Hadfield told News Of The Area, “The Lakewood shopping complex is an essential service hub for our community, and it must remain accessible to everyone.
“For people with mobility limitations, an extra ten metres, particularly through active traffic areas, can make a significant difference that others may not fully appreciate.”
By Rachael THORPE
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