At Environment, Transport & Sustainability Committee on Tuesday, the Green and Labour groups emphatically voted against the Conservative Notice of Motion relating to allegations of the council’s failure to comply with The Equalities Act be investigated. They also voted against an investigation into allegations that information used in bids to Central Government for funds were inaccurate.

Campaign Group Brighton Access for Disabled Groups Everywhere (BADGE) have highlighted problems around the lethal floating disabled parking spaces on the seafront road, the loss of parking and the indignity of having to ask to use the toilets on Madeira Drive, inadequate and insufficient parking in the city centre, lost disabled parking bays to diner seating and vehicle access parking curfews imposed on them for longer than everybody else.

Conservative Transport spokesperson, Cllr. Lee Wares said “it was a surprise that Green and Labour Councillors flatly refused to support an investigation into very public allegations made by a third party against the council. In hindsight however, I suppose when asking for an investigation into something both the Greens and Labour have overseen, is like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas.

“It was also disappointing that rather than address the allegations, they chose to attack those that sought to find the truth (good or bad). It seems that in their gusto to make the issue political, they forgot the allegations were made by those representing blue badge holders and the most vulnerable in society. They forgot that the allegations sit alongside claims that the council has discriminated against those protected by The Equalities Act.

“Plenty of apologies were given by Labour and Green councillors that we must give credit for and at least that is an indication they accept they got it wrong. So, whereas they don’t want to support an investigation, they must now act on their words.

“Many are tired of the Greens saying they are listening to representatives of disabled groups and blue badge holders; they want action now.

Those groups have been strung along for over 160 days since the first Covid-19 temporary transport measures were introduced. They have raised concerns, offered solutions and promised to work with the council.

“The council ripped up 600m of cycle lane within six days of the bus companies complaining. The council altered Duke’s Mound to ensure their Black Rock project wasn’t compromised. It is in the Green Administration’s gift to not allow another 160 days of alleged discrimination but to fix everything in a matter of days.

“So, having rejected scrutiny of inequalities issues, it is now time for the Greens to act and very quickly. Anything less will open the door to questions about their integrity and honesty in what they have said and promised to our most vulnerable citizens” he said.

ENDS.