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Ex-paratrooper David Barry was promised a disabled parking bay outside of his home in Bargoed this year following a four-year battle with Caerphilly County Borough Council.

The 89-year-old former bus driver is cared for by his 64-year-old son, Michael Barry, who explained to Caerphilly Observer how despite planning permission being granted in June, the pair are still waiting for the council to do the work outside of their home on Francis Street.

Francis Street, like many other streets in Bargoed, has parking permits – meaning residents need to pay a £15 annual fee to park outside their house. However, Michael often struggles to find a spot outside his house.

It means that when Michael takes his father out somewhere, whether it’s to the shops or to a hospital appointment, he is often forced to park away from his house, making it difficult to get his father out of the car and back home – something which, due to David’s health, can take a bit of time.

Michael was “chuffed” when the council’s planning committee approved the bay in June, but three months on and the pair are still waiting.

He said: “This would take a few hours to sort out, my father is deteriorating by the day and I want however long he has left to be as comfortable as possible.

“I’ve been so patient with them, but everyday is a struggle for me now. It’s like hitting my head against a wall.”

When asked why the disabled bay hadn’t been installed yet, the council declined to comment, but said David’s bay will be installed in the next six to eight weeks.

In response to that news, Michael said: “I think it’s disgusting to be honest. They said yes in June, now they’re saying November. When that time comes, it’ll be something else.

“It’s a joke to them I think, they have no care in the world for the struggles other people go through.”

David is also concerned for his son’s welfare, as he often faces abuse from other motorists when trying to get his dad in and out of the car.

“My father gets upset, thinking it could boil over into a fight. It’s stressing him out and it stresses me out too,” Michael said previously.

“He’s at that age now and does get emotional about it. I can’t go any faster than I do because my father has fallen over before. It’s hard work.

“I take him out about four times a week. He’s sat in the chair otherwise so I need to keep him on the move.”

It can take up to two years from the initial request until the bay is created.