Work to repair the out-of-order lift in the car park at Morrisons in Cwmbran should start next week.
The lift helps customers get to the ground level of Cwmbran town centre and enjoy the rest of the shops in the area, including easy access to Harvester, Vue Cinema and Hollywood Bowl.
In July 2015, the South Wales Argus asked if it was ‘the world’s unluckiest lift‘ after firefighters in the town were called out to rescue people trapped in it four times in nine months.
I’ve been unable to establish when the lift was last in working order. But from being a regular visitor to the town centre, it must be at least six months, if not longer than a year since someone last used it.
I can’t remember the last time I saw someone going up or down in the lift.
When was the last time you used the lift? Can you help and share your experiences?
I’ve been told about blue badge holders who have been given a fixed penalty notice from Euro Car Parks (who manage the car park on behalf of Morrisons) for overstaying the car park’s three-hour limit (during store opening hours)- and not being allowed extra time for having to take a longer route to the shops.
One person told me that Morrisons “has a duty to ensure no indirect or direct discrimination occurs…Case Law with the lift in operation requires an extra one hour for individuals who require accessibility needs…the parking signs need to consider or state the required additional time, not just the block all comers contractual period of three hours.
“More information is needed to allow a choice of access where the lift is not in operation, such as placing the lift’s status in a prominent position and providing an alternative access route to and from the access bays to the wider Cwmbran.”
I asked Morrisons when the lift would be fixed and how they manage Blue Badge holders who may require extra time when using the car park.
A spokesperson for Morrisons said: “The store is very aware of the issues with the lift and work is expected to start on repairing it next week.
“With regard to the time limit in the car park, any customer who is worried about not having enough time to complete their shopping should speak to the customer service desk.
“Our colleagues will then be able to add their registration number to the system for that day so they won’t incur any parking penalties.”