The lack of dropped kerbs and disabled parking in Sheffield has been branded “horrific” by a disability support group.

After suffering a stroke, Liz Kieran, 39, uses a wheelchair and mobility scooter and frequently faces obstacles on pavements.

She said: “It’s not just cars on the pavements, it’s bins, it’s general rubbish, and the lack of dropped kerbs in Sheffield is quite horrific.

After years of looking for a disability support group, Ms Kieran decided to start Disabled in Sheffield, a network aiming to “bring people together to help each other.”

The network is currently writing a letter to the council about dropped kerbs and taking photos to identify locations and show it is an issue across Sheffield.

Another member of the network who wishes to be known as Laura, 50, is an ambulatory wheelchair user.

She said: “Cars, overgrown hedges, broken pavement and bins are a constant problem. Dropped kerbs may be non-existent or not dropped enough.

“I often use the accessible parking outside the theatres and it never ceases to amaze me that there are no dropped kerbs alongside them. I have to drive into the road to access the pavement and my car.”

Last year, the council banned cars from parking on pavements on over 20 Sheffield streets after facing increasing pressure from disability groups. 

While good news to some, the ban means disabled drivers find it increasingly difficult to park in the city because of busy car parks. 

Carolyn Young, 78, retired financial officer, relies on driving for longer distances because her mobility is affected by spinal stenosis.

Ms Young said one of the worst places to park is the Royal Hallamshire hospital which has replaced disabled bays on the approach road with concrete flower tubs.

She said: “The hospital does have a multi-storey car park with a small section on the ground floor with disabled bays. However, they are almost always full and I cannot go to a higher level because there is no lift, just a concrete staircase.

“[Sheffield council] are only interested in people using bicycles, walking or using public transport. I can’t do any of these things. The disabled bays in the centre are few and far between.”

Andrew Jones, Facilities Director at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, responded: “We appreciate that car parking around the Royal Hallamshire Hospital can be challenging for everyone at busy times due to the location of the building. 

“We currently have a number of spaces reserved for blue badge holders at the Royal Hallamshire. These are located: outside the Minor Injuries Unit, on the ground floor in the Multi Storey Car Park and on A Road. We are also looking at increasing blue badge spaces in these areas in the near future.”