Hot Seat Bridgend MP Jamie Wallis

BCBC’S decision to axe the Shopmobility service in Bridgend is wrong.

This service has been closed by stealth as it has not functioned for two years because of structural problems at the Brackla Street multi storey car park, where it was located.

These problems were not of the council’s making but no new location has been found.

After many years at the old Rhiw car park, structural problems were found and the car park was demolished.

When this work was under way it was decided to relocate Shopmobility to Brackla despite protests from traders because it was further away from the town centre.

It was also decided that it would not be moved back into the new Rhiw car park because of the cost of moving it twice.

Then in 2022, the centre closed “temporarily” because of the structural problems.

The council has said that alternative sites have been explored but a viable location has not been found. I am wondering why the new Rhiw car park could not be used? Surely, it could be reconfigured to accommodate this vital service.

In the budget that has been approved, all funding for Shopmobility was removed and the council decided instead to start talks with Bridgend Town Council to see if they would take it over.

This is not a satisfactory situation. The Town Council may decline to step in which would leave disabled shoppers still unable to access any stores in Bridgend unless they own their own scooters.

I would urge all those disabled people who used this service to get in touch with their views about what should happen.