The suspension of a shop mobility scheme in a Welsh town centre has been preventing people with mobility issues from maintaining their independence. The shop mobility scheme based out of the Brackla One multi-storey car park, serving Bridgend town centre, was suspended by Bridgend council last year after the detection of structural issues deemed the car park unsafe to use. The scheme offered day hire for mobility scooters for £3 a day (alongside a £5 membership fee), but the cheapest comparable local private rental services charge £17.50 a day - a rate many are unable to afford.
Mansel Abraham, 88, of Bridgend, struggles to walk after multiple operations on his right leg and relies on a walking stick to move around, even in his home. He has relied on using the electric scooters from the shop mobility scheme for more than a decade, but since it's been suspended, he has had to rely on his son for help. He stresses that it's not only a worry for himself but for those who have severe mobility problems in the area and are not able to afford private rental mobility scooters.
Mr Abraham said: "I've been using the shop mobility scheme since 2009 when I had an unsuccessful operation on my right ankle, since then, in 2019, I had my knee done on the same leg and now I'm having X-rays on my hip. I'm finding it difficult to walk and I have to use a walking stick even in the house."
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Bridgend town centre’s shop mobility service previously reopened towards the end of 2020, when the service received a £20,000 grant from the Welsh Government. Bridgend County Borough Council purchased a fleet of mobility scooters with the grant, which was given after the council decided to maintain the service following a public consultation. The council previously reported that the shop mobility service is normally used about 4,000 times a year by people hiring scooters and wheelchairs.
Previously, to get to town, Mr Abraham would use the rented scooter from the shop mobility scheme, which cost him "a reasonable" £3 a day. He explained that there is a mobility scooter hire facility in the town, but the costs are considerably higher at £17.50 for a single day's hire, which he says isn't affordable during the cost of living crisis.
Mr Abraham said not having access to affordable electric scooters has left him unable to visit the town, and it has become difficult to attend medical appointments and make social arrangements. He said: "I have difficulty walking any sort of distance, and only then with the aid of a walking stick or crutches, this has caused me, and no doubt others, quite some discomfort and stress."
Instead, he has to rely on his son and his partner to attend appointments or go on shopping trips. He added: "But when I have the shop mobility scooters I can do it myself, which gives me independence." Mr Abraham said he isn't able to take his car into the town centre as there is an order in force prohibiting vehicles from entering the pedestrianised zone of town between 10am and 6pm.
Mr Abraham said he previously contacted the council to see when the scheme would be available but claims he was told there is no current plan in place to rehouse the scheme. He said: "I have been told that nothing is being done at the moment. The council bought these new electric scooters and they are now lying idle somewhere."
A spokesperson from Bridgend County Borough Council said: “The shop mobility service which was previously based at the Brackla One multistorey was temporarily suspended following the detection of structural issues which ultimately rendered the car park unsafe to use.
“While the council is currently considering a range of options for the future of the service, we also maintain a number of dedicated parking bays located around the perimeter of the town centre for use by blue badge holders. Blue badge holders can currently park for free at any council-owned car park, and we are also aware that private operators are offering alternative commercial mobility scooter hire facilities in the meantime.”
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