Scooter OAPs fight first floor balcony ban

William West and John Ferry are fighting to keep their mobility scooters

Pensioners are protesting against demands to remove mobility scooters from outside their homes because of health and safety concerns.

For the past decade, 77-year-old John Ferry and his friend Bill West, 70, have parked their scooters on the balcony of their first-floor flats without any issues.

But they were threatened with court action in a letter from sheltered housing bosses in Shenley Church End telling them to get rid of the scooters. “They are taking away our independence,” said Bill.

“They say the scooters are obstructive, but a person can still get past regardless. It’s health and safety gone mad.”

The balcony buddies have pledged to fight against the demands of Affinity Sutton after their offer to pay for a tin hut to house the scooters was turned down.

A spokesman said:“We are working with Mr Ferry to find a resolution, including helping him to transfer to a property on the same scheme on the ground floor so he can accommodate his scooter.”