Disabled Protest about Banking

HSBC Customer Theresa Smith has complained that the closure of local bank branches is making it harder for disabled citizens particularly wheelchair users.

In Birkdale Theresa , a Thalidomider fought many years ago to persuade the bank to install ramp access but now the branch is to close with customers re-directed to Lord St - a conservation areas where a ramp will not get planning permission.

Contact between Theresa, her MP John Pugh and the bank has revealed that the bank has no solution to this problem other than to suggest that customers like Theresa use internet or telephone banking.

" This is just not good enough. " says Theresa, " We know the banks are reducing the number of branches they have but it should not be done without thinking of disabled customers. We need face to face services the same as the rest of the population".