THE provision of spaces for disabled drivers on the fourth floor of Sand Street car park, to replace some of those lost to States Members’ parking, has angered some disabled Islanders.

They feel that relocating these spaces on the fourth floor is unacceptable for health and safety reasons.

One disabled resident, Mary Scragg , said: ‘It was with incredulity that I learned of the politicians’ decision to change the parking for the disabled to an upper floor in Sand Street, while the parking for themselves is to be on the ground floor.

‘I, for one, as a wheelchair user for many years, will not be using the top floor of Sand Street, first and foremost because of health and safety reasons.

In the event of a fire, the lift which is inadequate anyway, will be cut off and the stairway cannot be used by a disabled person.’ Mrs Scragg said she had spoken to other disabled people, who all agreed.

She says that some of them have wheelchairs designed to hold their legs outstretched, so there is no way they could get in the lifts.

However, Alan Muir, Public Services director of traffic and transportation, said: ‘There appears to be some confusion regarding this situation.

Disabled people can park in any space for free and also have dedicated spaces in all car parks.

The only spaces which have been taken away are in the basement of Sand Street, but there are half a dozen still there.

‘The basement spaces which are now for States Members were not disabled spaces, they were Shopmobility spaces, for people who wish to rent wheelchairs.

Shopmobility weren’t using all of these spaces, so some have been given to States Members and additional disabled spaces have been created on the fourth floor.’