May 31 - GSD: "The Government Are Sounding More And More Like A Broken Record"
The GSD say the Government’s reply to Damon Bossino’s recent post on social media, does "nothing" for beach users with mobility issues.
A statement form the GSD follows below:
Their continuous resorting to their infantile mantra of ‘we did it better than the GSD’ is vacuous and unhelpful diatribe. The GSD, in acting responsibly as Gibraltar’s opposition will continue to point out the Government’s failings whether in relation to public finances, developments shrouded in secrecy, Gibraltar’s traffic chaos or the abuse of our planning laws. Their press release in response to the very real concerns raised by the GSD regarding disabled access to our beaches and the fact that not all facilities such as changing rooms were available to users during good weather does a disservice to beach users and helps absolutely no-one.
The mechanical fault excuse peddled by the Government is simply insulting. If that was the real reason, why is it that it took the Government less than a day from Damon Bossino’s post on social media in which these issues were raised, to send in the machines to at least remove the sand and thereby improve access. The Opposition is satisfied that as a result of its complaints some remedial action has been taken in advance of the weekend thereby improving access to our beaches. It would, however, be interested to learn what this complete lack of planning has cost the tax payer.
This exchange gives the GSD the opportunity to raise complaints which have also been made by users of Camp Bay who did not have access to the pools as they were still uncovered from the winter months.
The Government’s reply does nothing for beach users with mobility issues who continue to feel like second class citizens nor for families and tourists who are unable to fully enjoy beach facilities.
The GSD takes this opportunity to once again restate its policy that in government it would ensure that ALL beaches are ready for use by early May at the latest.
Damon Bossino said: “Siting the mechanical fault is laughable and a lame reason to offer for the government’s complete lack of planning. It begs the question – did the contractor also lose the keys to the changing rooms? This is the point that has been completely side-stepped in favour of the Government’s usual self-congratulatory and tiresome history lesson”.
{fcomment}
