Benoni probably has the largest proportion of retired persons in Gauteng.
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Of those retirees, well in excess of five per cent are handicapped enough to require special facilities.
The problem is that most of the shopping centres in Benoni fail to provide adequate parking facilities for disabled persons, both in terms of quantity and/or quality.
As a handicapped person myself, let me offer you examples of the lack of consideration shown the handicapped at two shopping centres, Northmead Square and The Square at Farrarmere.
The Square at Farrarmere is probably the worst of all the Benoni shopping centres.
Not only do they have far too few parking bays, with only two each on the north and south sides, but none on the western side, which is the longest side.
However, it doesn’t end there.
The parking bays are far too narrow.
Also, aside from the disabled marking on the tar surface of the bay, nothing and no one prevents the all too many inconsiderate and lazy drivers from using the disabled persons’ parking bays.
In many ways, Northmead Square is almost as bad.
As of September 9, there were only two demarcated bays outside the main (pedestrian) entrance to the centre.
Again, there is no one to prevent the all too many inconsiderate and lazy drivers from using the disabled persons’ parking bays.
Aside from the inadequate quantity of disabled persons’ bays, those at the main entrance do not have a ramp immediate to the bays to enable a wheelchair to be readily set on the pavement.
There is only one quite wide ramp in the middle of the entrance area, but a wheelchair has to be taken out into the roadway to be able to access the ramp, which is often blocked by the armoured vans, forcing the handicapped person and their assistant to risk life and limb by going even further into the roadway.
Considering the high proportion of aged and infirm or handicapped shoppers in Benoni, I fail to understand why architects, centre developers and even the major tenants of those centres do not show more consideration for the aged and infirm or handicapped.
Frankly, it would be a welcome piece of legislation if the authorities required at least five per cent of all parking bays to be reserved for the aged and infirm or handicapped.
Am I really being impractical and unrealistic?
Editor’s note:
Ivan Nefdt, general manager at the Bentel Group, replies:
“With the planning of the upgrade, we were very aware that we need to not only upgrade, but also provide for additional amenities that will cater for our disabled and older patrons.
“Our instructions to our planning team was very clear around this, and we list herewith all the changes and additions:
·The existing disabled bays of the attached layout plan are being upgraded and widened to specification
·Two additional disabled bays with ramps to be constructed
·Two additional disabled bays on the new first floor deck
·Ground floor disabled bathrooms have been upgraded, while we are also constructing a new diasabled bathroom on the first floor, ensuring both levels cater for special needs
·We have also retained the lift inside the mall and have installed a new lift at the far end of the centre for ease of access from the new ground and first floor diabled parking bays. This will allow ease of access to both floors from the outside and from the new parking deck.
·Our architect will arrange to have removable bollards installed at the disabled parking bays to prevent lazy patrons from using these, and our security guards/trolley assistants will manage access thereto.”
The Square at Farrarmere did not provide comment at the time of going to print.
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