Residents across Oldham have slammed the lack of accessible parking spaces in the town centre more than six months after a dedicated disabled car park was replaced with a taxi rank.

In April this year, several disabled car parking spaces near the Integrated Care Centre just off Fountain Street were removed to make way for a taxi rank.

Oldham Council said the regeneration plans for the town centre meant it had to "move things round" at some of its car parks and that replacement spaces were created.

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Taxis have had to find a new home in the car park due to the nearby Dan Fold taxi rank closing as part of plans to demolish and redevelop a new entrance by the former Snipe Inn pub.

To make up for the loss, Oldham Council set up six new disabled bays outside the ICC.

Six disabled parking bays were set up outside the ICC to make up for the lossSix disabled parking bays were set up outside the ICC to make up for the loss (Image: OMBC)

However, residents previously told The Oldham Times that they already faced enormous difficulty finding places to park even before the loss of spaces as one said the car park was "rammed" when taking their 85-year-old parent to an appointment at the medical centre while another said she has had to cancel appointments due to a lack of places to park.

Disabled drivers slammed the plans as "discrimination against disabled folks" and asked why taxis were given "preference over those less able" and when they could be parked elsewhere.

Now, with Christmas around the corner where both the medical centre and the town centre could be busier than usual, Oldhamers say they are still "annoyed" by the taxi rank taking up the former disabled bays.

Taking to social media, Donna Lewis said: "Why is it full of taxis and disabled can not get parked? It took me 20 minutes because the taxis won't move.

"This is meant to be for disabled only, the sign says so. Am I the only one annoyed by this?

"I had to walk from ICC car park up the hill, it's a nightmare and painful.

"Taxis want to force disabled people to use a taxi, not drive themselves.

"Why take from the most vulnerable?

"It's ridiculous. I could understand if the car park was not used but it is always full.

"When I moved here I was actually pleased to see it as I hadn't seen anything like this anywhere else. I thought Oldham cared for their disabled residents.

"It's bad enough at supermarkets when people can't be bothered to walk so they park in a disabled space.

"It's constant and as a disabled driver that can't walk, it's maddening.

"If they want my space, I'd love to see them cope with the constant pain. I would gladly swap for a day and see how it made them feel."

The woman said while Spindles has provision for parking, disabled drivers have to pay to park there.

She continued: "[It] makes it harder for disabled people to get around or park for free. We pay for a badge yet still have to pay for parking in Spindles.

"When going to the market, the hill from Spindles is steep when you can't walk properly.

"Yet again, we are meant to take it."

Another woman agreed: "This car park is the closest and easiest car park for disabled people in Oldham.

"It used to be full with just disabled badge users, and now the taxis are taking up space when they can wait elsewhere."

Lisa Robinson said she also uses the car park when she takes her mum to the ICC because she struggles to walk up the hill, adding: "I'm sure [Oldham Council] could've relocated the taxis to the market car park and got rid of six to eight spaces there."

Steven Nyland added: "It's disgusting. Oldham Council are robbing disabled badge holders from parking up.

"The council have sold disabled people down the line and don't give a f*** about us."

However, others said the plans were out of taxi drivers' control as Fazal Rahim, ex-secretary of the Taxi Owners Association, said taxi drivers are "equally frustrated at having to use the disabled car park as a turning circle or waiting area for a few minutes".

He continued: "I have every sympathy with you on this issue.

"This is a temporary measure in agreement with Oldham Council Licensing authority until the work in the area is completed.

"I ask for a bit of understanding."

Others said the situation "is a pain" and said it was a "disgusting" solution from the council.

A spokesperson for Oldham Council said earlier this year that "a section" of the car park was agreed as a "replacement location" due to it being "just around the corner from the [former] rank" which had to close for the demolition of the Snipe Inn.

The spokesperson added: “This relocation has temporarily reduced the number of disabled bays on the car park from 27 to 20.

“To ensure we maintain as much disabled parking as possible in the area, six new disabled bays will be created directly in front of the ICC building."