Tiptree woman fighting to get disabled parking spot

Abigail Goodwin,18, from Tiptree, has been needing to use a wheelchair for nine months and says using her car has been a vital part of maintaining her independence. 

However, managing to get an accessible and safe disabled parking spot installed close to her home has been a difficult process that remains ongoing.

Slope - The slope has made it difficult for Abigail to use her car (Image: Abigail Goodwin)

She said: “I’ve been having trouble with my parking space, but it seems that no one is listening. 

“Where I normally park, there is a slope and I’ve nearly fallen out of my wheelchair several times.” 

The slope outside her home has led to a number of broken wheelchairs and almost accidents, as it hinders her from getting on the pavement safely. 

“For nine months I’ve been getting rejected from the councils,” Abigail said, as she is starting to lose hope of getting the issue fixed. 

According to her, Essex County Council and Colchester Council claimed not to own the land and would therefore not be responsible for getting a disabled parking spot installed. 

Abigail was being sent from one authority to the other without seeing progress. 

“It is going nowhere,” she said, “I don’t know what else to do," she said.

Hopeless - Abigail has started to loose hope after struggling 9 months with the councils (Image: Abigail Goodwin)

The councils apologised for sending Abigail from one point of contact to another. 

A spokesman for Colchester Borough Homes (CBH) and Essex Highways said: “We can confirm the road along Chestnut Way is adopted and managed by Essex Highways with provision for disabled parking already on the highway in this location. 

“If Ms Goodwin is seeking additional disabled parking spaces on land managed by Colchester Borough Homes (CBH), which oversees council-owned land, such a request would need to be carefully assessed.

"We are committed to balancing the overall parking availability in the area with the needs of disabled residents. We will review the situation and keep Ms Goodwin informed of any further developments. 

Parking - Abigail has applied several times for a disabled parking spot (Image: Google Street View)

“Regarding Ms Goodwin’s experience of being directed between Colchester Council and ECC, we regret any confusion caused.

"To clarify, Essex County Council is responsible for managing the highway, while Colchester Council and CBH handle parking requests for council-owned land.

"We will follow up directly with Ms Goodwin to ensure her concerns are addressed and guide her through the appropriate process and will work towards a resolution as swiftly as possible.”