Swindon Councillor, Derique Montaut, has raised concerns over future plans for the Shopmobility service to move from the Wyvern Multi-Story Car Park to the rear garden of Sanford House.
Pictured: Derique Montaut (left), Chris Watts, and Fay Howard (right)
Swindon Councillor, Derique Montaut, has raised concerns over future plans for the Shopmobility service to move from the Wyvern Multi-Story Car Park to the rear garden of Sanford House. Councillor Montaut had been told that the size and layout of the new building the Council are proposing to move Shopmobility in to is insufficient to hold the same stock and equipment that Shopmobility have in their current premises and that the amount of equipment may have to reduce by more than 50% in order to fit Shopmobility in to the new premises.
Councillor Montaut also understands that in the new premises there will not be a waiting area for users to wait for transport home, no reception area for taking bookings and enquiries, no toilet facilities or a maintenance working area.
Councillor Derique Montaut said: “While I have no problem with the Council’s plan to move Shopmobility from the Wyvern Car Park to Sanford House and it will move this service closer to other services for disabled people now operating from Sanford House, it is important that the service is not reduced because of this move.
I’ve learnt that this move as it currently is proposed, will lead to significantly reduced space for Shopmobility to be ran out of which will mean less room for Shopmobility equipment, no waiting area for users to wait for transport home, no reception area for taking bookings and no toilet facilities.
The Council rightly have committed to support elderly and disabled people in becoming more independent. The Shopmobility service is crucial in being able to deliver this aim so we should not be reducing this service and that is why we need to rethink how this proposed move works and ensure Shopmobility has the proper space it needs to support disabled people”
Cllr Derique Montaut
Councillor for Liden, Eldene & Park South