CUSTOMERS of the new Barnsley Market who have disabilities have hit out at the council over its access arrangements after being left trapped on the upper level amid repeated fire alarms.
Shoppers have expressed their concerns after not being able to use the lift when the fire alarm sounds alerting shoppers and traders to evacuate the building.
Elaine Dyson, of Bloomfield Road, Darton, uses a mobility scooter to get around and was unable to get down as the lifts were disabled while the alarm was sounding as there is no ramp or evacuation chair on the stairs.
Elaine, 69, said: “I went up in the lift and when the alarms were sounding I didn’t really know what to do. I’m unable to use an escalator due to my vertigo and my scooter cost £3,000 so I wasn’t going to leave that there.
“My friend couldn’t walk at all so we were stuck, just the two of us stuck upstairs.”
Elaine said that she had asked the question of what would happen in the event of fire and she was told they would have to be carried down the stairs.
She said: “I just think that would be hard work as I’m a larger person and it would take two people to do that.
“I want to be able to feel safe when I nip out shopping on my own and not worry about what will happen in an emergency.
“I don’t want to rely on having my husband with me.”
Cheryl French, who works as a carer in the Barnsley area, has also spoken to the council about the evacuation route from the upper level.
Cheryl, 52, regularly visits the market with disabled clients and family members and has said recent glitches with the fire alarm made her aware that there was no route outside.
She said: “There is no access from the upper level to the ground level that would allow my clients and I to get down safely. When I highlighted this problem to the council they told me that I would have to make my way to a place of safety and wait for the fire service to come and get me. I don’t think that is good enough.
“The best solution for the market would be to put a ramp inside the building in stages. I understand it would maybe be too steep but if they broke it up in stages I don’t see the problem?
“Making people wait in a place of safety is putting a lot of people at risk if you ask me.”
Several traders confirmed the fire alarm went off several times a day during the first weeks of opening and the council has confirmed it is aware of this issue.
A council spokesman said: “The fire alarm system is functioning correctly, however we have experienced a number of activations in the past two weeks.
“A review of the situation has taken place and measures are being put in place to minimise activations in the future.”
Barnsley Council has also reassured residents the new market has been fully checked and does fall in line with fire regulations and there are procedures in place to cover all parts of the market for all abilities.
The spokesman added: “The market has three fire refuge areas upstairs. In case of a fire, shoppers who are unable to exit the market via the stairs will be taken into one of these areas by a member of the onsite staff or security personnel all of who are trained in evacuation procedures.
“The refuge areas are protected to ensure that all building users can be evacuated safely either by the markets staff or the emergency services depending on individual circumstances.
“These procedures are in line with the fire regulations for a building of this type.”
