There is a war rumbling that has seen fingers being thrust at women’s noses, obscenities shouted out, a centre manager being nearly being run over and even threatened with her life.
The war is getting more violent by the day as the row over the abuse of disabled parking zones at the Dundee Boulevard Centre intensifies.
The flair ups have been more intense since an extra disabled parking zone was installed in front of Soni’s Jewellers.
Cheryl Elliott, who often takes her wheelchair-bound friend, Gill Holm, to the centre, says she has encountered ‘harassment of the highest order’ from able-bodied motorists who simply ignore the large signs and park in the disabled zones.
“When these zones are full, we are forced to park elsewhere which is not easy when you have to off-load a wheelchair as the ‘normal’ parking bays are narrow. When I confront those who take over the disabled zones, the response is always aggressive. They want to know if I am a cop and often swear at me. One man even shoved his finger at my nose. Even drivers sporting learners discs park in these zones. When you point out that they are wrong to park there, there is just a torrent of abuse. They seem to get angry because they have been caught out.”
Gill says people should simply obey the signs and be more considerate. “The zones are there not only for local residents but for those passing through Dundee and for tourists.”

We are fairly lenient and take into consideration that frail people and those with temporary leg injuries may also park in the zones and not only those vehicles displaying the official disabled disk.

Trudy van Wyk-Franz, Centre manager, said extra disabled bays had been designed to allow shoppers easier access to the other shops so they not have to contend with the sloped corridor leading down from the existing disabled parking bay outside Truworths.
“We are fairly lenient and take into consideration that frail people and those with temporary leg injuries may also park in the zones and not only those vehicles displaying the official disabled disk.
“Unfortunately, we do not have the manpower to monitor all the illegal parkings in these bays. With one security guard, it is difficult to cover the entire area.”
She said moves are afoot to beef up security and even install security cameras.
“Clamping wheels is not an option as there are so many technical and legal issues to consider. What we are considering is installing chains and poles. Should an abled person park in the reserved zones, we can chain their vehicles and only release them once they have paid a fine which we will handover to the cripple care fund. Again, there is quite a lot to process before this is finalised.”
Trudy also recounted harrowing details of being abused by those ‘caught out’ illegally parking.
“Police vans, ambulances, farmers and even fire service trucks park in those bays, not to mention the ‘ordinary’ motorist. When confronted, the reaction is always abusive. One guy nearly ran me over he was so cross. Even motorbikes park in these bays – it is crazy.’
She urged the public to help the centre ‘name and shame’ offenders by posting photographs of vehicles parked in the bays on social media.
“There are plans to repave, re-design and even expand the parking area to make everything easier for motorists and pedestrians. Right now, I just urge people to please note the signs indicating which are the reserved disabled bays. Please respect and be considerate of those who are not as fortunate as you.”