Anger at lack of disabled spaces

The 53-year-old said she has been forced to shop in Banbridge because the demand for parking spaces far outweighs the number.

The woman, from Donaghcloney, said extra disabled spaces should have been provided during the public realm work period.

She said: "Other than coming into Lurgan for essentials, like banking, I won't be back.

"I was born and reared in Lurgan and have always shopped in the town, but now that I am disabled I can't because there are no spaces."

The woman said she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia meaning she needs crutches to get around.

She added: "I can't walk the length of the town, by the time I get anywhere I am fit for nothing other than a sit down.

"In Banbridge they have spaces right outside the shops and you can get around very easily.

"But while all these works are going on in Lurgan there is nowhere to park for disabled people or if there is it is taken.

"Along the entire side of the road there is no disabled spaces - they have not thought about our needs during this time.

"I won't be back to Lurgan, it's just too much hassle."

A spokeswoman for the Roads Service said: "The completion of the public realm scheme will increase the number of disabled bays from two to four.

"Whilst there is some inconvenience experienced by all road users during the works this will be relatively short lived and disabled motorists may park in the bays that are completed on High Street and Market Street, on the adjacent side streets which are not affected by the scheme and in the nearby off street car parks at Black's Court, Castle Lane and at the junctions of Edward Street and Millennium Way.

"Roads Service apologise to drivers for the inconvenience and thank them for their patience."