A disabled woman has hit out at “lazy” gym goers who park in disabled spaces at Arbroath Sports Centre.
Joyce Fox, 57, from Arbirlot, claims able-bodied people parking in disabled bays is a daily occurrence despite the best efforts of staff working at the Keptie Road centre.
In recent weeks, staff have left notices on cars, stopped people in the car park and made tannoy announcements, but Ms Fox claims the problem persists.
Ms Fox, who suffers from intraventricular cists, chronic fatigue syndrome (ME) and carpal tunnel syndrome, has raised the problem with the manager of the sports centre.
“Carpal tunnel syndrome makes it difficult for me to carry my bag with my kit but I am not raising the issue just for my benefit,” she said.
“Quite severely disabled children use the pool for their therapy but if their carers can’t get parked, they can’t use the pool.
“The other day I saw a young lad in his early twenties, dressed in his gym gear parking in a disabled bay and then sprinting into the gym. This is a daily occurrence.
“It’s not that there aren’t enough car park spaces at the centre, it’s just that people are too lazy to walk from the main car park.”
Ms Fox, who said she has even seen drivers park on the zebra crossing at the council-run centre.
“I have been on to the manager and the council about this issue,” she added.
“I think the staff at the centre are doing everything they can but it really winds me up.”
Angus Council confirmed staff at were trying various methods to stop people parking without badges in the disabled bays.
A spokesman said: “All disabled car park spaces are clearly labelled and staff do regular checks throughout the day.
“Staff attach parking slips to window screens advising the owner that their car is illegally parked. We also take note of the registration number to then be transferred over the Tannoy.
“In instances where the car is not moved at this point, staff also search for the owner at the centre and ask them to move their car.
“We do, however, also rely on the honesty of our customers to only use the disabled spaces if they are entitled.