Traders at Dartford’s popular weekly market are being reminded not to block paths with their stalls after complaints from a disabled shopper.

Debbie Stiff, 47, who uses a wheelchair, claims she has been forced into the road during recent visits to the market by a stall obstructing the pavement in Market Place, which leads into the town’s High Street where most of the stalls are located.

She first encountered the problem on Thursday, July 21, and informed both the stall owner and the market manager of her concerns, but upon returning last week found the same problem.

She said: “The stall owner does not leave any room for people in wheelchairs or with prams to get by.

“I should be able to go along that pathway as far as it goes into the centre of town without having to go into the road.

“He told me to drop off the kerb to get round. I am in a wheelchair, if I just drop off the kerb I’m going to do my back in.”

“I should be able to go along that pathway as far as it goes into the centre of town without having to go into the road" Debbie Stiff

Although she was opposed to the location of the stall, Mrs Stiff, who travels to the market with her husband from their home in Cherry Avenue, Swanley, suggested a ramp be put in place to make it easier for her to get round.

A council spokesman said: “We have spoken to the trader in question after Mrs Stiff’s complaint and they are being moved to a new pitch next week.

“We are also writing to all the traders to remind them that as the market gets busier they should always allow enough space for wheelchair users and parents with pushchairs to move around the market.

“The market supervisors will also be checking to help ensure this doesn’t happen again.”