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."
