Disabled pensioner, 94, fears car park sale will cut her off from shops, cllr says

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter 

A 94-year-old disabled resident is worried she will be cut off from the shops in her town centre following the council’s decision to sell off a nearby car park, a councillor has claimed. 

The comments come after Greenwich council decided to sell three council-owned car parks in October to address a £27million budget gap predicted for next year.

Council officers said the car parks based in Abery Street, Old Dover Road and Charlton Village were not well used and the land they were on could be attractive for property developers. 

Conservative Councillor Matt Hartley said at a Greenwich council meeting on Wednesday that businesses and residents were concerned about the effect the sale of such car parks would have on their areas.

Cllr Hartley said: “I spoke to Keith and his 94-year-old mum, who’s disabled and a Blue Badge holder, and Keith told me that without Old Dover Road car park it is not going to be feasible for him to bring his 94-year-old mum to the cafes and shops at the Royal Standard. 

“He told me it’s one of the few things that brings her any quality of life at all.”

He asked the council leader to request officers to conduct economic and quality impact assessments to determine the effect of removing such car parks. 

Labour Councillor Anthony Okereke, leader of the council, said in response that he recognised the concerns and that the decision to sell the car parks was based on surveys indicating low usage and ongoing operational costs.

Council documents from earlier in the year claimed the installation of cameras in two of the car parks had generated additional costs for Greenwich council. 

Cllr Okereke added that the sale was not determining the future use of the sites and any changes would require planning permission. Officers had also previously confirmed that the car parks would remain open until sales were agreed.

He added: “It’s worth noting that there is also on-street parking on the road as well. 

“We have not tested the market in terms of what will come forward in that area and we will continue to listen and engage.”

Pictured top: The car park on Old Dover Road was included in the list of assets to be sold off by the council (Picture: Google Street View)