Call for more disabled parking spaces in Birr

Fianna Fáil Local Election candidate in the Birr/Ferbane Local Electoral Area, Audrey Hennessy Kennedy, has called for the introduction of more designated disabled parking spaces in Birr town.

‘As someone who works in the disability sector, access issues and barriers that impact independent living, resonate strongly with me" said Ms. Hennessy Kennedy this week, who expressed disappointment that there are no disabled parking spaces on Birr's Main Street.

While ackowledging the provision of disabled parking spaces in both squares in Birr and also in the town carparks, she said all wheelchair and mobility aid users should also have proper access to "the many services and shops" on the town's Main Street, and pointed out that this cannot be achieved "without dedicated parking, and that is simply not right or fair."

Ms. Hennessy Kennedy said the lack of disabled parking on Main Street in Birr has been raised with her on her canvass. "I am delighted, as a candidate, to highlight this concern and I would very much welcome the opportunity to positively contribute to bringing about a change."

She has also called for "a re-think" in the way some of the services for the disabled are provided. "Where possible, the testing process for advance flagging of potential accessibility issues, prior to projects being commissioned, should be strengthened and the direct input of service users should always be obtained."

As well as calling for more disabled parking spaces in Birr, the local Fianna Fail election candidate has also called for "‘the requisite clearance to enable proper deployment of ramps if one is driving a wheelchair accessible van or bus, regrettably this is not always the case. We must remember that the safety and dignity of the user must always be paramount."