BARNSLEY Council has been urged to improve the safety of pedestrians in the town centre after ‘menace’ mobility scooter riders were blamed for a series of collisions and near misses.
Pensioners zipping around on motorised vehicles in the market and shopping precinct are becoming more dangerous, according to stallholders who claim to have witnessed daily incidents.
Calls for laws to be tightened and instructions provided to those hiring out the transportation from Age UK, who run a council service Access Barnsley have been made.
The shop, on Eldon Street, has a fleet of scooters for hire and Janet Lancaster, of Hillcrest, Darfield, was hit by one on July 13 in the market hall.
She said: “I was shopping in the market and I had the unique experience of being mown down by a fast-moving mobility scooter. I cannot understand why the law allows people to use these scooters with minimal instruction.
“If they’re not used with proper care and attention, I believe they are potentially lethal weapons.”
Age UK says customers must undergo a safety assessment before using its service, but stallholders told the Chronicle this week Janet’s experience is not uncommon.
One stallholder, who did not wish to be named, said: “I see it most days, especially when it’s busy. We’ve started calling them ‘wacky racers’ on Cheapside as you wouldn’t believe how they drive them.
“I’d say they travel up to 10mph but I wouldn’t fancy being hit by one at full speed.
“It would knock you off your feet last week a delivery driver had his foot run over and he had to call his company up as he thought he had broken his foot.
“I don’t want to throw everyone into the same bracket because it’s like everything there are considerate riders as well but they are a menace in the town centre.”
Dean Roberts, who runs S and A Jewellery with wife Sue and daughter Amber, said: “It has become a bit of an issue and we regularly see incidents because of where our stall is.
“One of the problems is that the town centre’s streets have been narrowed because of the redevelopment work, so that channels people into a tighter area.
“It’s never really been much of a problem but it’s something I think has happened because of the ongoing work.
“When the area is opened up again, I reckon it’ll go back to normal.”
The council said it was aware of the incident involving Janet on July 13, but praised the Access Barnsley scheme and confirmed each customer must take part in training before being handed a mobility scooter.
Coun Jenny Platts, cabinet spokesman, said: “Everyone has a right to use the shops and facilities in Barnsley town centre we’ll continue to develop and support services that help people with all types of disabilities to do this.
“Access Barnsley is a great resource. Age UK Barnsley run the service on behalf of the council and they provide scooter and wheelchair hire to help people who have a disability access the shops and facilities in the town centre.
“Each person must take part in a safety assessment and training before using the service.
“We are aware of an incident involving one of the Access Barnsley mobility scooters on July 13. Staff attended to support the people involved.
“The council hasn’t had an official complaint about this incident. Access Barnsley has followed up with the people involved to make sure they’re OK.”
