YORK'S historic cobbled streets are causing problems for disabled people, it has been claimed.

As reported in The Press yesterday, many shops were found to still be failing disabled customers by not providing suitable access into their premises when they encountered a step.

While portable ramps can be provided by staff, those without them left mobility scooter user Laura Branigan, 48, stranded outside.

The Disability Discrimination Act states public buildings, schools and shops should be accessible for all, and Laura visited a range of stores with The Press to see how many were complying.

The investigation found shops were still not up to the Act's standards, but York's traditional cobbled streets are proving to be just as problematic for those forced to use a mobility scooter.

Laura, of Clifton Moor, said: "As a disabled person it is hard in York because of the cobbled streets.

"I have a list of venues where I can go to that are really accessible and brilliant, and they are all outside of York.

"Shopping centres and supermarkets are fantastic."

Healthwatch York produced a report on discrimination against disabled people in July 2014, and people came forward with their views on a range of problems in the city.

A spokeswoman said: "The parent of a disabled child said the city centre is crowded at times and can be a nightmare, and the old streets aren't great for wheelchair users."

Neil Ferris, assistant director for Transport, Highways and Fleet at City of York Council, said they were doing a number of things to support disabled people, which include carrying out audits on access and mobility for all of its schemes, endorsing the Disabled Go Service to offer advice about disabled access to public buildings across the city, and providing a grant of £14,000 to Shopmobility to ensure it keeps providing wheelchairs and mobility scooters to the city's visitors.

Mr Ferris said: “York is an historical city known and loved for its narrow and cobbled streets which is all part of its charm and one of the reasons why over seven million visitors come back to York every year.

"We understand and sympathise that while this is all part of what makes York so special for some visitors, it’s not always accessible for everyone."