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Beach ‘jobsworth’ is a barrier to disabled OAP
AN ELDERLY disabled woman was left "humiliated" when she was denied access through a barrier to Boscombe beach, her family claim.
Angry relatives of the 81-year-old woman have hit out at a "jobsworth" council worker who refused to allow them to drop her off at a beachfront café without paying £5 in car park fees.
The pensioner, who can only walk a few paces with the aid of a stick, struggled in vain to reach the café.
But in the end, she had to sit on a bench while her family brought her tea and biscuits.
Bournemouth council says the barrier operator was right to refuse them access because the promenade is not suitable for dropping off.
But Sue Quinn, of Southbourne, said the incident overshadowed what should have been an enjoyable day for her, her husband and children and her husband's parents.
They were unable to visit their nearest beach at Fisherman's Walk because the cliff lift is currently out of order and so travelled to the nearest accessible beach at Boscombe.
"The plan was for the grandparents to have a cup of tea at the café on the prom while watching the children enjoy the water and the sand," she said.
Mrs Quinn intended to drop her mother-in-law off at the café and then turn around immediately and park at a cheaper car park.
But this request was refused, despite the fact the prom car park was not particularly busy and they had a valid disabled badge.
She added: "We refused on point of principle to deal with this man any further, let alone agree to pay such an outrageous amount of money to drop a disabled person 100 metres past the barrier."
Instead, her mother and father-in-law had to watch their grandchildren from a bench at the Boscombe Pier roundabout.
Andrew Emery, services development officer, said: "We are sorry to hear that this customer had a problem but due to the narrow promenade on which this popular seafront car park is situated, there is insufficient room for vehicles to drop visitors off without blocking the road for other users and emergency vehicles.
"We would encourage customers to use alternative drop-off points along the seafront such as at the East Cliff lift or Alum Chine."
The council insists it is working hard to improve seafront access and points out that permanent wheelchair users and their carers can use the East and West cliff lifts and the land train for free.
7:00pm Thursday 8th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: PETE WOODLEY on 7:07pm Thu 8 May 08
DOES anyone really care,What a understanding council employee he must be,i trust he never ends up disabled.
DOES anyone really care,What a understanding council employee he must be,i trust he never ends up disabled.
Posted by: omegaman, Bournemouth on 8:30pm Thu 8 May 08
If you going towards Bournemouth from Boscombe then as stated it is only a parking fee and if you tell the attendants that you are not going to park but merely drive up and back then they cannot charge you a fee as it is a road. It would be diferrent going towards Southborne and that part of the promenade is different.
If you going towards Bournemouth from Boscombe then as stated it is only a parking fee and if you tell the attendants that you are not going to park but merely drive up and back then they cannot charge you a fee as it is a road. It would be diferrent going towards Southborne and that part of the promenade is different.
Posted by: Angus, Bournemouth on 8:33pm Thu 8 May 08
Disgraceful. Bournemouth rose to fame as a place of healing and sanctuary for the infirm. Let's not see it become infamous as a place that shuns those that would benefit the most!
Disgraceful. Bournemouth rose to fame as a place of healing and sanctuary for the infirm. Let's not see it become infamous as a place that shuns those that would benefit the most!
Posted by: omegaman, Bournemouth on 8:38pm Thu 8 May 08
I repeat you only have to pay a parking fee if you are going to park. Remember this for the future. Ignore the attendants if they say differently. They are only seasonal employees and don't know the rules.
I repeat you only have to pay a parking fee if you are going to park. Remember this for the future. Ignore the attendants if they say differently. They are only seasonal employees and don't know the rules.
Posted by: PETE WOODLEY on 9:35pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]omegaman[/bold] wrote:
If you going towards Bournemouth from Boscombe then as stated it is only a parking fee and if you tell the attendants that you are not going to park but merely drive up and back then they cannot charge you a fee as it is a road. It would be diferrent going towards Southborne and that part of the promenade is different.[/quote] I have done this,i believe its not legal to charge if not parking,the attendant was fuming.i do posess a disabled badge,and cannot walk far.
omegaman wrote:
If you going towards Bournemouth from Boscombe then as stated it is only a parking fee and if you tell the attendants that you are not going to park but merely drive up and back then they cannot charge you a fee as it is a road. It would be diferrent going towards Southborne and that part of the promenade is different.
I have done this,i believe its not legal to charge if not parking,the attendant was fuming.i do posess a disabled badge,and cannot walk far.
Posted by: Karen on 10:06pm Thu 8 May 08
Oh boo hoo! Go somewhere else with free parking! Or carry her. Honestly, everyone wants preferential or FREE treatment these days.
Oh boo hoo! Go somewhere else with free parking! Or carry her. Honestly, everyone wants preferential or FREE treatment these days.
Posted by: Si, Poole on 10:12pm Thu 8 May 08
Why is it there is someone on the 'entrance' to the Boscombe to B'mth' prom / road, yet there are pay and display meters along the route? This doesn't make sense, as the town car parks do not have the same....
Why is it there is someone on the 'entrance' to the Boscombe to B'mth' prom / road, yet there are pay and display meters along the route? This doesn't make sense, as the town car parks do not have the same....
Posted by: derek, dorset on 10:48pm Thu 8 May 08
Bournemouth council get a life.
This is a elderly lady on a rare day out treat with respect and I may have some respect for you.
We will all get get old one day , and I hope by the time I get there someone has taught BC and DCC how to look after people and again treat with respect.
Bournemouth council get a life.
This is a elderly lady on a rare day out treat with respect and I may have some respect for you.
We will all get get old one day , and I hope by the time I get there someone has taught BC and DCC how to look after people and again treat with respect.
Posted by: derek, dorset on 10:55pm Thu 8 May 08
And to the lady and all out there .....
There are lots of places to take mum or grandmum ( not forgetting dads and gdads) thst you will get a nice day to remember without stress or blah blah .
And treated with respect ... it costs nothing
And to the lady and all out there .....
There are lots of places to take mum or grandmum ( not forgetting dads and gdads) thst you will get a nice day to remember without stress or blah blah .
And treated with respect ... it costs nothing
Posted by: derek, dorset on 10:58pm Thu 8 May 08
And to the lady and all out there .....
There are lots of places to take mum or grandmum ( not forgetting dads and gdads) thst you will get a nice day to remember without stress or blah blah .
And treated with respect ... it costs nothing
And to the lady and all out there .....
There are lots of places to take mum or grandmum ( not forgetting dads and gdads) thst you will get a nice day to remember without stress or blah blah .
And treated with respect ... it costs nothing
Posted by: Munkstar, Bournemouth on 7:20am Fri 9 May 08
Pay your way or stay away.
Pay your way or stay away.
Posted by: 2Much, New Forest on 7:53am Fri 9 May 08
Unfortunately, disabled people do not have the choice to go places non-disabled people do, mainly because of access issues, and that's not right, disabled or not, we should all be entitled to the same choice and control of our lives.
However, most disabled people have to make adjustments to get on with their lives, maybe if this lady had a wheelchair, they could have parked close by and gone to the cafe the same as everyone else.
On the other hand, the council, is by law, supposed to make a reasonable adjustment, and lifting the barrier for a few mins would not have killed him!
Unfortunately, disabled people do not have the choice to go places non-disabled people do, mainly because of access issues, and that's not right, disabled or not, we should all be entitled to the same choice and control of our lives.
However, most disabled people have to make adjustments to get on with their lives, maybe if this lady had a wheelchair, they could have parked close by and gone to the cafe the same as everyone else.
On the other hand, the council, is by law, supposed to make a reasonable adjustment, and lifting the barrier for a few mins would not have killed him!
Posted by: fedupwithjobsworths, Moordown on 8:00am Fri 9 May 08
Andrew Emery, Services Development Officer, said “We are sorry to hear that this customer had a problem but due to the narrow promenade on which this popular seafront car park is situated, there is insufficient room for vehicles to drop visitors off without blocking the road for other users and emergency vehicles” – How strange that the road is wide enough for the Council to run a Land Train between the Piers though. To me this episode is just another example of Council double standards - and their inability to admit to making a mistake.[quote]quote[/quote]
Andrew Emery, Services Development Officer, said “We are sorry to hear that this customer had a problem but due to the narrow promenade on which this popular seafront car park is situated, there is insufficient room for vehicles to drop visitors off without blocking the road for other users and emergency vehicles” – How strange that the road is wide enough for the Council to run a Land Train between the Piers though. To me this episode is just another example of Council double standards - and their inability to admit to making a mistake.
quote
Posted by: norbitonpaul on 8:09am Fri 9 May 08
It's this suffocating culture of rules and enforcement which was partly to blame for the good kicking that many councils received in last week's elections.
It is eroding the qualty of life everywhere. Our roads have become canvases for officialdom to restrict and constrain reasonable freedom of movement in pursuit of tax income.
It's this suffocating culture of rules and enforcement which was partly to blame for the good kicking that many councils received in last week's elections.
It is eroding the qualty of life everywhere. Our roads have become canvases for officialdom to restrict and constrain reasonable freedom of movement in pursuit of tax income.
Posted by: Phil, Poole on 8:13am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Karen[/bold] wrote:
Oh boo hoo! Go somewhere else with free parking! Or carry her. Honestly, everyone wants preferential or FREE treatment these days. [/quote] No, actually, disabled people merely want access to the same facilities as everyone else.
Still parking in those disabled bays because you're too lazy to walk 100 yards, Karen?
Still moaning about people who have disabled badges but shouldn't (by your reckoning, not knowing any of their medical details)?
And, most bizarre of all, still thinking you're better than badge fraudsters when you're just as bad by clogging up disabled bays for valid users?
Karen wrote:
Oh boo hoo! Go somewhere else with free parking! Or carry her. Honestly, everyone wants preferential or FREE treatment these days.
No, actually, disabled people merely want access to the same facilities as everyone else.
Still parking in those disabled bays because you're too lazy to walk 100 yards, Karen?
Still moaning about people who have disabled badges but shouldn't (by your reckoning, not knowing any of their medical details)?
And, most bizarre of all, still thinking you're better than badge fraudsters when you're just as bad by clogging up disabled bays for valid users?
Posted by: RW1234, South Coast on 8:18am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Munkstar[/bold] wrote:
Pay your way or stay away.[/quote] What sort of statement is that? This person is 62 years old and can not walk far. She wants a quiet sit down to watch her family enjoy the beach and common sense was not used by someone who could have bent the rules to help her out.
Munkstar you are a complete Muppet and i actually pray that someday you are in a situation where this sort of thing affects you because i fear this is the only way someone like you would understand what everyone else on this thread is saying.
Enjoy your day in front of the telly watching rubbish TV complaining that nobody will give you a job..!!!
Munkstar wrote:
Pay your way or stay away.
What sort of statement is that? This person is 62 years old and can not walk far. She wants a quiet sit down to watch her family enjoy the beach and common sense was not used by someone who could have bent the rules to help her out.
Munkstar you are a complete Muppet and i actually pray that someday you are in a situation where this sort of thing affects you because i fear this is the only way someone like you would understand what everyone else on this thread is saying.
Enjoy your day in front of the telly watching rubbish TV complaining that nobody will give you a job..!!!
Posted by: Charlie on 8:38am Fri 9 May 08
I see Karen's being her usual compassionate self! NOT. She who parks in disabled bays to get nearer a supermarket entrance because she's too lazy to use legs which a disabled person would be delighted to swap with her.
I accept that, as a person with mobility problems, I can't go to places like Hampton Court Palace, The Victoria and Albert Museum, many country houses, etc because they are listed building and exempt from providing facilities for the disabled, but being dropped off at a beach-front cafe is totally different. Hope the jobsworth concerned has the same experience some time.
I see Karen's being her usual compassionate self! NOT. She who parks in disabled bays to get nearer a supermarket entrance because she's too lazy to use legs which a disabled person would be delighted to swap with her.
I accept that, as a person with mobility problems, I can't go to places like Hampton Court Palace, The Victoria and Albert Museum, many country houses, etc because they are listed building and exempt from providing facilities for the disabled, but being dropped off at a beach-front cafe is totally different. Hope the jobsworth concerned has the same experience some time.
Posted by: bobble212, Christchurch on 9:01am Fri 9 May 08
[quote]Pay your way or stay away[/quote] What a wonderful, caring world we live in...I am so glad to be apart of it....NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pay your way or stay away
What a wonderful, caring world we live in...I am so glad to be apart of it....NOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: bassmankang, poole on 9:52am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]Karen[/bold] wrote:
Oh boo hoo! Go somewhere else with free parking! Or carry her. Honestly, everyone wants preferential or FREE treatment these days. [/quote] Grow up you selfish cow! Just the sort of unfriendly attitude that is ruining this country....let's hope YOU end up in a wheelchair and dependent on others!
Karen wrote:
Oh boo hoo! Go somewhere else with free parking! Or carry her. Honestly, everyone wants preferential or FREE treatment these days.
Grow up you selfish cow! Just the sort of unfriendly attitude that is ruining this country....let's hope YOU end up in a wheelchair and dependent on others!
Posted by: Ed, Bournemouth on 10:44am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]bassmankang[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Karen[/bold] wrote: Oh boo hoo! Go somewhere else with free parking! Or carry her. Honestly, everyone wants preferential or FREE treatment these days. [/quote] Grow up you selfish cow! Just the sort of unfriendly attitude that is ruining this country....let's hope YOU end up in a wheelchair and dependent on others![/quote] Please don't say that. Can you imagine someone as rude, selfish and arrogant as Karen in a wheelchair. She wouldn't park in disable spaces, she'd park on pavements then go tearing down the street sending women, children and anything else in her way flying.
As for shops without disabled access, heaven protect them. Karen would be outside blocking the shop doorway screaming at the staff to get service, after all she is Karen, probably the most unpleasant woman in Dorset.
bassmankang wrote:
Karen wrote: Oh boo hoo! Go somewhere else with free parking! Or carry her. Honestly, everyone wants preferential or FREE treatment these days.
Grow up you selfish cow! Just the sort of unfriendly attitude that is ruining this country....let's hope YOU end up in a wheelchair and dependent on others!
Please don't say that. Can you imagine someone as rude, selfish and arrogant as Karen in a wheelchair. She wouldn't park in disable spaces, she'd park on pavements then go tearing down the street sending women, children and anything else in her way flying.
As for shops without disabled access, heaven protect them. Karen would be outside blocking the shop doorway screaming at the staff to get service, after all she is Karen, probably the most unpleasant woman in Dorset.
Posted by: Maria, christchurch on 11:06am Fri 9 May 08
Is this the same Karen who is anti," The Parking Mad Echo Campaign". Is this the same Karen who feels every mother in their 4x4 should be entitled to park on the zig zags outside Schools so they don't have to walk that little bit further.. Seems that, in Karen's eyes,if you are just being lazy thats alright, but if you have a genuine reason for being dropped off close to where you are going, then thats tough. What a lovely, kind, considerate person you are Karen, Lets hope you never have the need to rely on a bit of human kindness, what goes around , comes around.
Is this the same Karen who is anti," The Parking Mad Echo Campaign". Is this the same Karen who feels every mother in their 4x4 should be entitled to park on the zig zags outside Schools so they don't have to walk that little bit further.. Seems that, in Karen's eyes,if you are just being lazy thats alright, but if you have a genuine reason for being dropped off close to where you are going, then thats tough. What a lovely, kind, considerate person you are Karen, Lets hope you never have the need to rely on a bit of human kindness, what goes around , comes around.
Posted by: nickg, canford heath on 11:22am Fri 9 May 08
Karen and Munkstar are typical of a lot of self-centered and ignorant people round here,as Maria says, what goes around comes around.
Karen and Munkstar are typical of a lot of self-centered and ignorant people round here,as Maria says, what goes around comes around.
Posted by: bobble212, Christchurch on 1:25pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote]Grow up you selfish cow! Just the sort of unfriendly attitude that is ruining this country..[/quote] Beautifully said !! :)
Grow up you selfish cow! Just the sort of unfriendly attitude that is ruining this country..
Beautifully said !! :)
Posted by: RichT, Christchurch on 2:07pm Fri 9 May 08
Nice to see Munkstar on usual sympathetic form!!
As for the council's "not enough room" excuse, how weak is that!
Any normal person would have allowed a vehicle to stop briefly in one of the empty parking bays to drop off a disabled person.
This is Bournemouth council though, I suppose!
Nice to see Munkstar on usual sympathetic form!!
As for the council's "not enough room" excuse, how weak is that!
Any normal person would have allowed a vehicle to stop briefly in one of the empty parking bays to drop off a disabled person.
This is Bournemouth council though, I suppose!
Posted by: davey, bournemouth on 5:14pm Fri 9 May 08
Feel for the woman but hardly 'Real' news
Feel for the woman but hardly 'Real' news
Posted by: Tru Belle, purbeck on 5:49pm Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]davey[/bold] wrote:
Feel for the woman but hardly 'Real' news[/quote] [bold]WRONG[/bold] on that score Davey, this is an important human failing which is increasing all the time. [bold]SPOIL SPORT[/bold] is my preferred nicer word for people whose serious attitude to their job takes them to the extremes of [bold]inhumanity[/bold] that no other bod has gone before!
davey wrote:
Feel for the woman but hardly 'Real' news
WRONG on that score Davey, this is an important human failing which is increasing all the time.
SPOIL SPORT is my preferred nicer word for people whose serious attitude to their job takes them to the extremes of
inhumanity that no other bod has gone before!
Posted by: PETE WOODLEY on 6:16pm Fri 9 May 08
Very TRUE BELLE
Posted by: Shedmans Friend, Bournemouth on 1:25pm Sat 10 May 08
I think Karen and Munkstar must be "plants from the Council" who have been tasked with diverting attention from [bold]the real Muppets[/bold]
I think Karen and Munkstar must be "plants from the Council" who have been tasked with diverting attention from
the real Muppets Posted by: silky, Bournemouth on 10:37pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]Karen[/bold] wrote:
Oh boo hoo! Go somewhere else with free parking! Or carry her. Honestly, everyone wants preferential or FREE treatment these days. [/quote] Shame on you Karen. Disability is not about getting free treatment. What a nasty thoughtless comment.
Karen wrote:
Oh boo hoo! Go somewhere else with free parking! Or carry her. Honestly, everyone wants preferential or FREE treatment these days.
Shame on you Karen. Disability is not about getting free treatment. What a nasty thoughtless comment.
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