South Shields FC match-day parking making life '˜unbearable' for family of woman in wheelchair

A South Shields mum - who is caring for her wheelchair-using daughter - fears her health is being put at risk by football fans parking outside her home.
Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.
Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.

Evelyn Ford says the number of vehicles parking on Henderson Road in Simonside on South Shields FC match days has now become unbearable.

Recently, the mum was forced to park several streets away and with her 30-year-old wheelchair bound daughter Michelle- who has a number of medical problems - and says the situation is becoming too much.

Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.
Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.
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Mrs Ford says she is concerned for what may happen if her daughter needs to be taken to hospital and the family car is streets away.

She says she has contacted South Tyneside Council to see if a drop-kerb can be installed so the family can create a driveway for their car but says a cost of more than £1,000 was quoted for her before work could be carried out.

She is currently waiting for a garage near to her home.

She said: “This has been going on for a while now, but it’s gradually getting worse.

Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.
Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.

“If we go out in the car and come back, sometimes we have to park several streets away from our home.

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“When you have a disabled daughter in a wheelchair it makes life difficult.

“It is getting to be a problem and I’m also concerned for my daughter’s health.”

She added: “She has a number of medical problems that sometimes requires us to attend the hospital straight away. But if our car is parked several streets away, it adds to the stress and could delay her treatment.

Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.
Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.

“We need our car close to home but the amount of cars parking in the street of match days is becoming unbearable and making that impossible.”

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She added: “We have asked if we could have a drop-kerb outside our homes so we could put a driveway in, but the council have said it will cost us over £1,000 to that.

“We have asked for a garage around the corner, but we are still waiting for someone to get back to us about that too.

“We are just in a no win situation and I am fearful for my daughter’s health, if we need access to our car quickly.”

Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.
Tom Ford, wife Evelyn and daugter Michelle, outside their Henderson Road home.

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: “Residents wishing to apply to have a vehicle access crossing installed outside their homes must apply to the council.

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“Following an application, the Council’s construction team will carry out a site visit and individual assessment to determine if the application can be approved.

“There is a standard fee for the installation of a dropped kerb, dependent on size of the driveway and the work required.”