Council car park closure leaves couple in a real fix

12:00pm Sunday 25th September 2005

A DISABLED couple were dismayed to find their family doctor's car park had been sold to property developers.

John and Peggy Hagger, who are both in their 60s and use walking sticks, drove to The Firs surgery in Stephenson Road, Walthamstow, only to find they couldn't park in the adjacent car park, formerly owned by the council.

Mr Hagger said: "We went there last week and found it has all been fenced off and dug up.

"My wife and I are disabled. We are going to have to park round the corner and walk. I can't walk a lot and my wife has to use a stick and a wheelchair."

The couple, who live in Queens Road, Walthamstow, say that it is too far for them to walk from their home.

Mr Hagger added: "I can't understand the council selling the car park as it was built with the health centre."

A council spokesman confirmed that the car park had been sold to a developer which wants to build affordable housing there.

He added: "The car park was under-used and closed earlier this summer to be redeveloped as affordable housing.

"There are two operational car parks within a 300m walk of the health centre and unrestricted parking in a nearby road."

A senior surgery staff member said she was surprised the car park had been sold as it was used by patients regularly.

She added: "It is difficult for patients, I don't know how we're going to cope."