The father of a disabled woman has accused Bradford Council of treating handicapped people as “second class citizens”.
Brian Murphy is angry that disabled people, like his 38-year-old daughter Sarah, have to face a flight of steps into the new-look Keighley market because there is no ramp at its Low Street entrance.
The steps for able-bodied people have been completed as part of the refurbishment of the building.
But it has left disabled people unable to reach the market from Low Street as part of a shopping trip to the nearby Airedale Centre.
Mr Murphy, of King’s Drive, Wrose, Shipley, said he was not satisfied with the excuse that a ramped access would be completed in a few weeks. He said: “They should have finished the steps and the disability access at the same time so that everyone could continue to use the market – that stands for people with wheelchairs as well.
“This looks like they are treating handicapped people as second class citizens. One of the reasons we come to Keighley to shop is that it is flat and you can get straight from the shopping centre to the market with a wheelchair.” He said they would now not go shopping in Keighley again until the ramp appeared.
Disabled Sylvia Ford, 68, of Denholme, said: “Why didn’t they build the ramp before the steps then everyone could get in easily?’’ And a 36-year-old Steeton mum, who did not want to be named but was shopping with her son in a pushchair, said: “Going right round the building is quite a way for disabled people. It must be a nightmare carrying shopping as well.”
Julian Daniel, Bradford Council’s markets operations manager, said: “We have partially opened the main entrance to Keighley Market ahead of schedule to help the traders in the current economic climate.
“The entrance to Keighley Market with ramp access will be open fully in two weeks. There are alternative entrances available for the disabled and to assist customers with pushchairs. These are off Market Street. We apologise for any inconvenience but this work will give customers an improved and enhanced Keighley Market.”
e-mail: clive.white@telegraphandargus.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel