Disability parking is now in St Johns

Antigua and Barbuda Transport Board officials and the Traffic Department have fulfilled the commitment to have designated disabled parking spots in key areas around the city of St Johns.

This has long been the cry from members of the Antigua and Barbuda Association of Persons with Disabilities for designated parking and for other motorists to respect these no-parking zones.

During a walkthrough of the city last month representatives of both departments, along with the president of the local disability movement Bernard Warner, identified areas that would be reserved.

This includes portions of Redcliffe, High, Long, Nevis, and St Mary’s Streets beginning with the Market Street intersection.

Those promises materialize this week and the Head of the Traffic Department Superintendent told the media this week that in order to qualify a disabled person must have documentation from their medical practitioner certifying that they are disabled and the relevant sticker from the transport board.

People found parking illegally in those areas will be fined $500.00 or face a six months prison sentence.

Going forward business owners and others will also have the opportunity to apply, through the transport board, for reserved parking in the city.

They will, however, be required to pay an annual fee of $1,200.00 per year to cover the costs once the application is successful.

“If the sport is designated for someone you are not supposed to park if it is not reserved for you. If you fail to comply, the charge will be $500.00 or 6 months in prison,” Quammie said.

He made this pledge during a scheduled walkthrough of the town with persons from the local disabilities’ association not too long ago saying that diagonal markings will be placed on Redcliffe, High, Long, Nevis and St Mary’s streets beginning with the Market Street intersection.

Creating the accompanying access ramps will however have to be a joint effort with the Ministry of Works, he stated.

President of the Disability Association Bernard Warner welcomed the move challenging disabled people here to speak up for more access.