The Liberal Democrats have revealed the shocking truth that some disabled people in Oldham have had to wait for almost three years for a parking bay.  

And, sadly, there seems no end in sight as Oldham’s Labour Administration has not allocated any funding for the creation of disabled parking bays in the last two financial years.

Disabled parking bays require minimal work, the area designated as the bay is painted onto the highway and they only require a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to be issued.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE wrote to the Deputy Chief Executive of Oldham Council in January taking up the issue of the wait time on behalf of one of his Shaw constituents.  He was seeking answers about what was happening with the backlog, and found those answers disturbing to say the least. 

Councillor Sykes said: “Eighty people are now waiting for assessments to determine their eligibility for a parking bay.  These are all people who hold a Blue Badge and have severe disabilities.  They need a disabled parking bay to access a vehicle that is parked near their home to get out and about.  It is tragic that some have had to wait almost three years – forcing increased isolation, and this waiting list is steadily growing.”

“It is scandal that some of these people waiting will either be dead or no longer able to drive by the time their application is dealt with.  It is just not good enough and they deserve better!”  Added Councillor Sykes.

“Oldham Council has failed to allocate any money for providing disabled parking bays since the 2018-19 financial year.  This increasing backlog will only continue to get worse.”  Councillor Sykes continued, “I shall carry on advocating on behalf of these forgotten and vulnerable citizens and press Oldham Council to make some cash available so we can provide some hope of light at the end of the tunnel for these disabled people who have been waiting patiently for so long.”