Mayo man frustrated at council's failure to paint disabled parking bays

A WESTPORT man who painted disabled parking bays in the town during the summer has expressed his frustration that the work has not been completed by Mayo County Council.

Former Mayo footballer, Mick Higgins made national headlines in the summer after he bought a can of blue paint and painted some of the disabled parking bays in Westport because he felt they were faded and in a terrible condition.

The disability campaigner said at the time he took matters into his own hands after attempts to get Mayo County Council to carry out the work fell on deaf ears.

Six months on, Mick says he is as frustrated as ever after only some of the disabled parking bays have been painted by the local authority and these included some he had painted himself.

“They painted five parking bays which included four I have painted and there are four or five others to be done and there is no sign of them returning to paint them. I did expect them all to be done when they came in to do the job and I am disappointed they left half of them untouched,” he told The Mayo News.

“Back in June, I was told the job would be done in six weeks and that is six months gone by. When I saw the contractors in town I thought finally someone was listening to me but they didn't finish the job. I thought I might shame them into doing it but you can't it seems.

READ: Mayo road realignment project delayed due to river crossing concerns

“The people making the decisions must not have a disability in their family or understand what it's like to have a disability in their families. What are they doing with all the money? I am told there is no money but they are able to spend thousands and millions on other things which is crazy. I am very disappointed.”

Mick's daughter Emma has been blind since birth and he has a disabled permit for his vehicle. He says that the blue colour signifying the disabled parking space in Westport is badly faded and should be painted if the council are serious about supporting people with disabilities.

Mick has been vocal about the obstacles people with disabilities face when moving around Westport and in 2019 he highlighted the issue of sandwich boards blocking access along footpaths. He added that he will continue to highlight what he sees as the failure by the local authority to look after people with disabilities even if it means taking action himself.

“I am not doing this for money or publicity. I am doing it for my blind girl but people are ignorant. The ones they did in Bridge Street are a fine job but why do this street and leave the others out. People might not like what I am saying or doing but I will continue to highlight these problems until action is taken and I make no apologies for that. Nobody will tell me what to do anymore.”