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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 20 July 2007

Disabled lose ambulance access after bay is moved

ELDERLY and disabled people in Holloway have to walk or be carried up to a quarter of a mile after an ambulance bay was removed from outside their homes.
The residents at Cutbush House sheltered accommodation, in Hilldrop Road – including some in wheelchairs or bed bound – are appalled that contractors have painted out the bay and replaced it with double yellow lines.
Retired lorry driver Roy Kellett, 71, who has chest problems, said: “There was no warning they just turned up one day and removed the words ‘ambulance bay’ from the road.
“Residents who live here regularly need an ambulance to get around or go to hospital. We’ve always had a bay since I’ve been here and at the old place and that’s 12 years.”
The home is run by housing association Circle Anglia who were unavailable to comment this week.
Local Labour Cllr Wally Burgess said that according to Islington’s Parking department ambulance bays are now restricted only to hospitals and ambulance stations. “We’ve been told that it is actually illegal to have a bay here,” he said. “You can have a disabled bay outside your house but not one outside sheltered flats. This sort of anomaly shows a lack of imagination.”
Cllr Burgess added that the double yellow lines often meant that a bay was in use and ambulances had to park elsewhere.
“What we need at the very least is a big sign saying: ‘Ambulances and disabled access only.’ It’s not fair to ambulance staff who have to carry, push and help people to a vehicle that is parked hundreds of yards away in Hilldrop Road.”
An Islington council spokes person was unavailable for comment last night (Thursday).

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