Disabled adventurer calls on council to fix inaccessible parking payment machines
Disabled adventurer and accessibility advocate Nick Wilson has called on West Northamptonshire Council to urgently address inaccessible parking payment machines at Albion Place long stay car park in Northampton.
Nick raised the issue in a video filmed at the car park, which has since gained traction on social media. In the footage, he highlights that the payment machine is positioned on a raised plinth, with no ramp or dropped kerb to allow wheelchair users to reach it independently.
Although the car park includes disabled bays, Nick says the lack of an accessible payment machine means some disabled motorists are unable to pay without assistance.
The issue comes just weeks after changes to town centre parking charges came into force. Wilson argues that charges should not have been introduced without first ensuring that disabled motorists could access and use the payment facilities independently.
He said: “Let me be clear. This isn’t about car park charges for Blue Badge holders, it’s about accessibility. If wheelchair users cannot physically reach or use the machine, that is a basic access failure.”
Nick said the only option available to him was to pay by mobile phone, but added that this is not a realistic or accessible solution for everyone.
He warned that disabled people who cannot use the payment machine or mobile payment option may be placed at risk of receiving a fine, creating unnecessary barriers for those trying to visit Northampton town centre.
Nick is urging West Northamptonshire Council to review the accessibility of its parking payment infrastructure and ensure that disabled motorists can pay independently and safely.
“If people are put off coming into town because they cannot even pay to park safely and independently, that has a wider impact on the whole area.
“I’m determined to make Northamptonshire a leading county in the communication and promotion of accessible venues, attractions and green spaces, which enables the local population to get outdoors more and attracts more visitors to the region, boosting our economy and supporting businesses.” Nick continued.
Nick Wilson has a combined social media following of more than 87,000 people. His video about Albion Place car park has received more than 12,000 likes across Instagram and Facebook, with many commenters agreeing that the situation is unfair and pointing to wider accessibility challenges faced by disabled people.
Nick is currently undertaking 50at50, a year-long fundraising and awareness campaign involving a series of 50km trail and coastline challenges in the UK and overseas.
Through the campaign, he is aiming to raise £150,000 to fund and donate up to eight all-terrain powerchairs to outdoor venues across the UK, including in Northamptonshire. The initiative is designed to create practical and lasting access to outdoor spaces for more disabled people.
Wilson is encouraging West Northamptonshire Council to use the concerns raised at Albion Place as an opportunity to improve access across its parking estate. He is calling for all parking payment points to be made fully accessible and for accessibility to be considered from the outset when changes are introduced.
He said: “An accessible county is better for everyone. It supports local people, brings in visitors, strengthens businesses and helps Northamptonshire build the kind of reputation it should be proud of.”
In response to the concerns raised, West Northamptonshire Council said: “We are aware of the accessibility concerns raised about payment machines in some council-owned car parks and are in the process of installing dropped kerbs or adjusting plinths to improve access. We will update the council website as this work progresses.”
