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20.09.22
5 Deputy J.H. Perchard of St. Saviour of the Minister for Infrastructure regarding
parking provision for pregnant women (OQ.234/2020):
Will the Minister advise what provision, if any, is made in terms of parking spaces or areas designated for use by pregnant women?
Deputy K.C. Lewis of St. Saviour (The Minister for Infrastructure):
Jersey Car Parks attempts to assist all its customers wherever possible and have, for some time now, had parent/child parking bays to assist with manoeuvring young children in and out of cars, which we know can be problematic. It is also recognised that sometimes pregnant women do need a little extra help, particularly during the latter stages when mobility can be an issue. Thus Jersey Car Parks has informally long allowed heavily pregnant women to use the parent and child bays by arrangement, to assist when entering and exiting the vehicle. Of course there are limited numbers of these spaces so in order to avoid disadvantaging other users a sensible discretion is required by customers wishing to access these spaces.
- Deputy J.H. Perchard:
Could the Minister outline what he means by "by arrangement" and just clarify for any listeners how such arrangements can be made?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Yes, indeed. A telephone call to the office will suffice or to pop in. If anybody has special needs, for instance a heavily pregnant woman, or indeed if it was an adult with an adult child, for instance, or somebody with mobility problems, just pop into the office or give the office a ring and arrangements will be made.
- Deputy L.M.C. Doublet :
Would the Minister consider the use of signage around these spaces to indicate to pregnant women that they can use these spaces? My concern is that women might not be aware that they can use them and then would be getting into difficulties when if the space is there available indicating to them that they can use it, would be helpful.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I would rather not because we started off with the mother and child bays and it was pointed out it could be the male parents of parent and child, it could be grandparents and children and, as we have just said, with heavily pregnant ladies. I do not want to be overburdened with signage. I would rather that common sense prevailed and we just made arrangements for anybody who has any special requirements.
- Deputy L.M.C. Doublet :
How does the Minister propose to inform pregnant women that this facility is available please? Deputy K.C. Lewis :
It has been operating informally for some time and it is quite widely known. The Deputy is publicising it even more now, so more heavily pregnant women can take advantage of this. But, as I say, it has been operating informally for some time.
[10:30]
- The Deputy of St. Mary :
At the time when my wife was producing children there was a facility whereby pregnant women were granted temporary permits to use disabled spaces, which was also available to people with recent injuries. I understand that procedure was stopped because of abuse. Is there any prospect of it being introduced?
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
Disability permits are in fact authorised by the person's doctor, so that is not something that directly affects parking control.
- Deputy J.H. Perchard:
I would argue that the Minister is mistaken in his view that this is widely known for this question itself came to me directly from a member of the public who was worried about being able to park during pregnancy. So I would like to repeat Deputy Doublet 's question; how will the Minister ensure that women who are pregnant - either heavily or who are suffering severe symptoms that would make it much easier for them if they could park quickly and easily - are aware that they are able to use those spaces, because they are not currently aware and that is clear from the contact we have had from the public.
Deputy K.C. Lewis :
I am more than happy to publicise that more but, as I say, it has been operating informally. Anybody with any special requirements, be it pregnancy or otherwise, can contact the office and arrangements will be made.