DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION

Early day motion 875, tabled 9 March 2005 by Paul Keetch (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 46 members.

That this House sends its best wishes to Mr Rob Godsell of Priory Place, Hereford, who suffers from multiple system atrophy; recalls that he used to be able to leave his terraced house for respite care on his mobility scooter from his rear yard, along a back alley, and out via an alley next to No 2 Priory Place; regrets that the landlord of No 2, Ms Wendy Jane Smith, who does not live at the property, has erected concrete bollards that stop Mr Godsell from using his mobility scooter along the alley; accepts that Ms Smith is within her rights to erect the bollards as the alleyway adjacent to No 2 gives private rights of way to Mr Godsell on foot only; notes the campaign of the Hereford Journal since December 2004 to attempt without success to get Ms Smith to remove the bollards; and calls upon the Government to consider amending the Disability Discrimination Bill so as to accord particular rights for people with disabilities to use private rights of way.

Signatures by party: Labour 23, Liberal Democrat 12, Conservative 2, Labour/Co-operative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, UUP 2, DUP 1, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1.