Atos House will be used to assess around 9,000 people claiming incapacity benefits in Stockport.
But there are no blue badge spaces outside as the centre is on a paved, pedestrianised route.
This leaves visitors with a walk of at least 200 yards to get to the Deanery Way building – a journey one disability group claims will be ‘impossible’ for some.
The leader of Disability Stockport says the lack of access could freeze out residents entitled to incapacity benefit.
Kieran McMahon, director of the voluntary support group, said: “For some people it will be impossible to go.
“This is a significant problem that should have been seen and prevented.
“I am in favour of more stringent administration of benefits but if people are not able to be assessed they won’t get incapacity benefit.
“You would think with a scheme involving so much money they would check out how people could get there.
“How can you trust people who don’t get such fundamentals right?”
Assessments at the new centre, which opened in January, began this week.
It is run by Atos Healthcare, a company drafted in by the Department of Work and Pensions to assess whether those on incapacity benefit should transfer onto the new employment support allowance, which pays less.
As the nearest street is a service road that bans all drivers except for delivery trucks, the closest drop-off point is 200 yards away and the nearest parking is on the second floor of a multi-storey car park.
Visitors can also park in three disabled spaces, also 200 yards away, on the busy Underbank.
Stockport MP Anne Coffey branded the situation ‘ridiculous’ as she raised her concerns in parliament.
She said disability groups should have been consulted.
She said: “It is ridiculous and rather thoughtless that a centre designed to assess disabled people is so difficult for them to get to.”
The under secretary for the DWP has pledged to investigate Ms Coffey’s worries.
Maria Miller told Parliament: “It is vital for such assessment centres to be fully accessible.
“I should be delighted to take up the point and report back.”
Both the DWP and Atos Healthcare declined to add to Mrs Miller’s remarks.
l To view reporter Alex Scapens take the journey from the nearest spaces to the new unit log on to our site stockportexpress.co.uk. Tweet
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So funny, what's next A&E department in the middle of an ice rink?
How much taxpayers' money is going to be wasted on this incompetent company for them to assess disability claim - is there anything available under Freedom of Information Act? The disabled access fiasco is not the most promising of starts is it. I don't have any confidence in this company to make the right decisions on assessing potential disability claimants and fear that vulnerable people will lose out on much needed benefits - that's of course if they can even get to the building!
So much for the expertise and efficiency of the private sector...
I have yet to find ANY venue for ATOS medicals that meets Disability Discrimination Act disability access criteria.
Tribunals Service buildings are not much better.
Crafty if you get there you are able to work,doesn't say how hard it was to get there.
The reason why they have done this is because they assume that everyone who claims benefits for illness or disability is a liar who has nothing wrong with them and therefore do not need accessible services
The reason for this is because ATOS and DWP assume that anyone who claims benefits for illness and/or disability must be a lying, benefit cheating scumbag and therefore does not require accessible services.
Equality Diversity Act is well known to all companies's policy.... except of DWP and Atos..... what a joke!
Stop the world, I want to get off!!!
Why don't people just sit down and THINK?
What I have noticed about the Atos building, is that it is very hard to reach, unobserved! It is just on the circumference of Merseyway, virtually anyway you try to gain access to the building, you should smile or grimace, as you are on camera, Big Brother's watching you...............
Catch 22 is it? If you get there you're fit enough to work and your benefits are stopped. If you don't make it there your benefits are stopped!
What is the logic behind transferring all the sick and lame onto the unemployment count? Anybody?