I just want to park near my own home

Monday, 23 July 2012

By Kate Gould

A RETIRED hospital consultant says he is being made housebound because a town hall is refusing to give him a disabled parking bay.

Dr Sarfaraz Hussein, who has had three strokes and has been registered disabled since 1999, relies entirely on his two sons to look after him and take him out. He says he needs the space as near to his home as possible as he is unable to walk very far – but Lewisham council has so far refused to provide one.

The 74-year-old, who lives in Boone Street, Lee, said: “My ill health means I cannot walk far.

“When I need to get out to do shopping or to go for medical appointments the car has to be parked outside the house for me to be able to get into it.

“If it’s parked too far away I can’t get out.

“I have written to the council so many times asking if they can help me but they say it’s a controlled parking zone.”

Dr Hussein, who was an army surgeon in India before moving to London and working in Lewisham hospital as a consultant psychiatrist, is looked after by his son Tariq Sheik.

Mr Sheik, 23, said: “Having a disabled parking bay would be life-changing for him. He relies on my brother and me to drive him everywhere. Parking is difficult around here so sometimes it’s impossible to park close enough for him to walk to the car.”

Dr Hussein said he feared he would remain housebound if the situation didn’t change.

He said: “I can’t bear the thought of having to stay in my house all day. I just want Lewisham council to help me.”

A council spokesman said parking bays near Dr Hussein’s home were short-term “red route” ones for Lee High Road shops and businesses.

He said these were Transport for London’s responsibility, and there were no general parking bays nearby.

The spokesman said: “The remainder of the carriageway is restricted by a yellow line for a good 70m stretch.

“The available kerbside space at this location is severely limited and there is nowhere for a disabled parking bay to be installed within a 50m walking distance.”

Email: kate.gould@slp.co.uk

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