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Are there now too many disabled parking spaces?

195 replies

Ladywithabagonherhead · 17/08/2026 21:00

I know I will sound like an entitled cow, but I wonder if I am alone with this. I am all for helping people who have disabilities in any way we can, that is decent - and if you are disabled yourself reading this, this is not against you at all.

I more and more think that we are overdoing the whole disabled parking slot deal. It's been happening these last few months everywhere I go, shops, high streets, supermakets, vet, etc.. Everyone is struggling to find a space, while there is a whole row reserved for blue badge holders, with one maybe two parked there. Meanwhile, there are fewer spots for family cars with small children, for example. Surely... surely there are way more families with kids than disabled parking needs (and I don't even have kids, just an observation). Not to mention the rest of us. Again, yes, we need dedicated parking spots, but aren't we overdoing it? As in, it's not really balanced. This is what I experience where I live, at least.

OP posts:
GreenFootstool · 17/08/2026 21:00

No.

Bobbybobbins · 17/08/2026 21:01

No

Pistachiocake · 17/08/2026 21:02

No. There aren't enough. And anyone can become disabled at any time, and councils need to plan for this and get more.

baroqueandblue · 17/08/2026 21:03

Ladywithabagonherhead · 17/08/2026 21:00

I know I will sound like an entitled cow, but I wonder if I am alone with this. I am all for helping people who have disabilities in any way we can, that is decent - and if you are disabled yourself reading this, this is not against you at all.

I more and more think that we are overdoing the whole disabled parking slot deal. It's been happening these last few months everywhere I go, shops, high streets, supermakets, vet, etc.. Everyone is struggling to find a space, while there is a whole row reserved for blue badge holders, with one maybe two parked there. Meanwhile, there are fewer spots for family cars with small children, for example. Surely... surely there are way more families with kids than disabled parking needs (and I don't even have kids, just an observation). Not to mention the rest of us. Again, yes, we need dedicated parking spots, but aren't we overdoing it? As in, it's not really balanced. This is what I experience where I live, at least.

fucking Biscuit

AgnesMcDoo · 17/08/2026 21:03

No

The able bodied can walk

LlynTegid · 17/08/2026 21:04

There are too many people with driving licenses. Some who should lose them for medical reasons, most for conduct.

There would be less of an issue then.

vintermadness · 17/08/2026 21:05

It's been a while since I've seen one of these threads.

shellyleppard · 17/08/2026 21:06

Surely there should be more disabled parking spaces?? They always fill up really quickly

Ladywithabagonherhead · 17/08/2026 21:07

shellyleppard · 17/08/2026 21:06

Surely there should be more disabled parking spaces?? They always fill up really quickly

if that is the case, sure. Not around where I live.

OP posts:
Snackccident · 17/08/2026 21:07

I get the frustration as I'm in cornwall right now fighting for parking and between disabled, parent and child, and then EV chargers theres never anything left for basic parking!

But I don't begrudge disabled people an empty parking space. I'd take a full car park over living with a disability.

saveforthat · 17/08/2026 21:07

Not in my town. There are not enough. I often have to abandon my plans because I can't walk very far at all.

XenoBitch · 17/08/2026 21:07

Too many cars on the road, maybe. But no, there are not too many disabled parking spaces at all.
YABVU

Ladywithabagonherhead · 17/08/2026 21:09

LlynTegid · 17/08/2026 21:04

There are too many people with driving licenses. Some who should lose them for medical reasons, most for conduct.

There would be less of an issue then.

Oh I agree with this a 100%. Starting with people beyond a certain age who refuse to admit that their eyesight and reflexes don't work how they used to. (I consider myself an oldie too.)

OP posts:
CatsLikeBoxes · 17/08/2026 21:09

No.
Those without a disability can always get the bus or park further away.

Ladywithabagonherhead · 17/08/2026 21:09

Snackccident · 17/08/2026 21:07

I get the frustration as I'm in cornwall right now fighting for parking and between disabled, parent and child, and then EV chargers theres never anything left for basic parking!

But I don't begrudge disabled people an empty parking space. I'd take a full car park over living with a disability.

same. It is not against the people who use the bays.

OP posts:
Davros · 17/08/2026 21:10

No no no

Ladidahdi · 17/08/2026 21:10

Babe, no.

Ladywithabagonherhead · 17/08/2026 21:10

CatsLikeBoxes · 17/08/2026 21:09

No.
Those without a disability can always get the bus or park further away.

Edited

that is really not the point. the point is if it's reasonable if it's not being used to the full extent. It is not about who is being able bodied and who isn't.

OP posts:
Pericombobulations · 17/08/2026 21:11

No. Not enough.

All too often I get a lot of non-blue badge displayers parked in the disabled spaces who are "just going to be a minute" which equals me turning round and going home because its never just a minute and they dont care.

Pearlstillsinging · 17/08/2026 21:11

I take it that you have never tried to take a disabled person shopping.

Ladywithabagonherhead · 17/08/2026 21:12

AgnesMcDoo · 17/08/2026 21:03

No

The able bodied can walk

Really missing the point. This is not an attack or wanting to snatch away bays from disabled people. My question was about the situation when there are way more disabled parking offered than needed

OP posts:
JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul · 17/08/2026 21:12

Be careful for what you wish for.

FreezeThePicture · 17/08/2026 21:12

No, but most supermarkets have too many EV charging points.

Amberlynnswashcloth · 17/08/2026 21:12

In Ikea, maybe. There seem to be rows and rows of them sitting empty while a huge number of shoppers come with young kids that could use the spaces as they're along the walkway which is safer.

Everywhere else there seems to be very few spaces that are wide enough for an able bodied person to open your door let alone be accessible for someone with a disability.

Babyboomtastic · 17/08/2026 21:12

Surely you can tell when they're are too many/to few of parking spaces, by looking at demand. So if there are lots of disabled spaces that rarely get used but it's difficult to find regular parking, then their ratio is clearly off. If the disabled parking is often full/near full, then they need more.

Some places probably have too many, others too few. I know places that fit into both categories.

I don't think there's anything wrong with asking the question, but it depends on why it's being asked, and often the answer isn't simply about messing efficiency, and me about prejudices.

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