SIR – Re your report ‘Protest brings city to standstill’ (Worcester News, September 21).

I, an ex-headteacher in Worcestershire, was forced to retire in 1994 as a result of contracting multiple sclerosis.

I have worked in various capacities with several disability groups in Worcester for the past 16 years and at present am the vice-chairman of South Worcestershire DIAL (disability information advice line) and a volunteer worker at Disability Answers, which is situated in the basement level of Crowngate Shopping Centre in Worcester.

I am appalled by the action taken by Worcester City Council over their imposed changes to disabled parking in St Swithin’s Street and can only applaud the actions of a brave group of disabled people in their protest.

The city and county councils must begin to realise that disabled people have the same rights as all citizens.

Approximately one in 10 people have some form of disability and represent a potent purchasing power group.

The creation of extra parking spaces at the Cornmarket, the Trinity and the Cross to replace the St Swithin’s Street blue badge spaces is merely a cover-up to disguise this present issue.

What is particularly interesting is the financial and general support given by the city council to projects such as Visit Worcester in an attempt to attract more visitors to the city.

Although this is an admirable concept it would appear to have had a financial rebound on the disabled community.

It is an unfortunate sign of the times that the high streets in our English towns and cities are dying and as we enter the brave new world of internet shopping, high business rates etc, city councils have a major problem on their hands.

Punishing our disabled and aged is not the answer.

Anybody, at any time in their lives, can become disabled and the city council needs to take a long hard look at its collective moral stance.

DAVID SIMMS
Vice-chairman, South Worcestershire DIAL