Mobility spaces turning blue

5 November 2014

Blue strips are being painted across mobility parking spaces to improve recognition and minimise abuse of the spaces in the Taupo District.

Research by CCS Disability Action indicates the use of blue paint improves motorists' behaviour with mobility spaces, making them more available for those with mobility issues.

Infrastructure manager Denis Lewis said the Taupo Mobility Access Reference Group (TMARG) would be giving the council feedback on whether they believe the blue strips had been successful. It's important for those with mobility issues to have these wider parks available to them without able-bodied motorists using the parks, he said.

Motorists using the mobility spaces without a mobility parking permit can be fined.

TMARG member Edward Jones said the blue paint was helpful for both those with mobility issues and general motorists. It makes the area easy to identify for visitors and locals alike, he said. Good clear identification would seem, to me, to be an essential courtesy to visitors for a tourist town that wants to promote itself.

The mobility space outside Life Pharmacy on Heuheu Street has just been painted with the blue strip and the one outside the Rainbow Point shops was done last month.

A metre-wide blue strip is painted across the entrance of the parks. All mobility spaces will be painted with the blue strip progressively.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549

Taupo District Council

www.taupo.govt.nz