The access committee recently visited the site to look into options for additional spaces to be installed in Elgin Street.

The committee recommended that council explore three locations to the eastern end of Elgin Street for the installation of an accessible parking space.

These include the northern side of Elgin Street, the southern side of Elgin Street; and the road reserve adjacent to Nurse Stokes Park.

The committee also recommended that council explore two locations to the western end of the street for another parking space.

These include the conversion of the eastern most middle bay space to incorporate an accessible car-parking space and have the existing hatched area as a shared space, and an additional space being installed next to the kerb and guttering to the northern side of Elgin Street between the pedestrian and vehicular laybacks.

At the May council meeting, deputy mayor, Councillor Graeme Miller also brought up the issue of wheelchair access to the new hospital.

“The only access is the driveway,” he said.

“I don’t think disabled people should be walking in the driveway.”

Council has also resolved to investigate a layback for disabled access directly from the hospital to the Apex Medical Centre.