parent and child bays

[fairy1303]

Our local supermarket is always rammed. I have often had trouble finding a space. There are some parent and child bays and these are great when I have to take the baby - you need the extra space for the buggy and to be close to the supermarket etc etc.

Today when parking in them, the woman next to me sprung out completely childless.

I know I shouldn't get so annoyed sleep deprived and am anticipating biscuits galore - but she was still parked there when I left and I really wanted to let the supermarket know!

There were other spaces btw, just a bit further away.

MrsBucket You're still here but you didn't answer my question, why won't you campaign for protected P&C spaces?

Today i went to Tesco's and near enough every disabled space was taken up where the disabled driver stayed in the car. No need what so ever.
My nan will have to wait until tomorrow now to get her shopping because of selfish gobshites.

I can't imagine why someone with a disability would use them though.
Everywhere I go in the uk has carpals full of unoccupied "disabled" spaces. Why would you not use one if you needed it?

RTFT then. This question has been answered repeatedly. I've given 3 different reasons why alone. It really doesn't take much imagination, really it doesn't.

Everywhere I go in the uk has carpals full of unoccupied "disabled" spaces. Why would you not use one if you needed it?
seriously? Where on earth do you live? I can never get a fucking disabled space when I go out for the day.
and why the "disabled"? don't you believe we exist?

There are some spaces for disabled, some spaces for P&C and some general spaces. Everyone should use the spaces they're eligible to use

What a pile of shite! It's so depressing that people begrudge blue badge holders from parking in an accessible space. They can park anywhere they blooming well like as long as they are not causing an obstruction.

sauvignon - I said that in the context of my supermarket where there is no difference between where the P&C spaces are located, and where the disabled spaces are located (they're next to each other). If there are manifest differences between where the P&C spaces and the disabled spaces are (e.g.being at the far end of the car park), then yes, of course, I come across as an idiot but that's not what I meant.

I love these threads and the 'buggies on buses' - really brings the arseholes out.

I know a few people have mentioned this flippantly but nobody has really answered...

Online shopping - if you are a parent on Mumsnet and find it difficult/dangerous to manage your young children in supermarket car parks WHY NOT SHOP ONLINE? I get why disabled people (as a population) may have more barriers to online shopping (age, income, computer ownership / ability, wifi access, socialising) but if it is really that hard for someone with kids and internet access to buy their shopping online?

Also the toddler died because of a dangerous or inattentive driver, not because there were no P&C spaces.

Nothing like a sweeping statement to muddy the waters - disabled people being not earning, being able to socialise, get wifi access or own a computer - is that a wind up and I've fallen into the trap of responding???

Yes tondelay
I agree, I also think of you are an able bodied person who can't manage to do your shopping without parking right outside the supermarket even if that means using a space clearly marked for parents with children, maybe they should also shop online.

Sorry, so shocked I didn't type that properly - disabled people aren't able to do all of those things?????!!

No, Mandy in your post you did not use the context of your supermarket, you were berating a blue badge holder who later explained their valid reasons for using one.
No matter where the different spaces are situated I think anyone who does not accept that a blue badge holder may use one, if needed, comes across as an idiot.

Ok. If there is no disabled space then I guess a person who has a blue badge would use a p&c space. But I have genuinely never seen a car park that has a glut of p&c spaces and too few disabled spaces.
And that's not just where I live. As I said, it's been the case everywhere I've been in the UK.

wheredoallthecalculatorsgo I used the quotation marks because the space is called a disabled space rather than having a disability. It seems ridiculous and hugely touchy to ask me if I think ppl with disabilities don't exist. I am acutely aware thanks.

It's not a sweeping statement Mandy -

"disabled people (as a population) may have more barriers to online shopping (age, income, computer ownership / ability, wifi access, socialising)"

Let me explain...

Disabled people may tend to be older and poorer and less familiar with the web than mothers of young children who post on mumsnet and own their own transport - is that really something you have difficulty understanding?

I also didn't explain the socialising bit well...but

People who have mobility access issues may use supermarket shopping as a rare opportunity to socialise, talk to people and get out and about. The supermarket cafe may be the only cafe they have access to in their area. Whereas as a mother of young children who owns a car - will have a lot more opportunities.

Does that explain my point better?

sauvignon - I said that in the context of my supermarket where there is no difference between where the P&C spaces are located, and where the disabled spaces are located (they're next to each other). If there are manifest differences between where the P&C spaces and the disabled spaces are (e.g.being at the far end of the car park), then yes, of course, I come across as an idiot but that's not what I meant.

I've explained it to you twice now but it seems that you are ignoring it. As I've already said, twice, it does not need to be a 'manifest difference' to make all the difference to someone with a disability. If a particular space means 1 single step less to walk or a nano second of less pain a disabled person will take it. We don't choose spaces randomly. Every bb holder I know chooses the space which best suits their needs. Without fail.

At NO POINT have I said that I think my rights are more important than someone who is disabled.

I agree that P&C spaces are a luxury - they make my life easier. They make things a bit safer. They mean I don't have to leave the baby alone to hunt down a baby trolley. I don't like it when people who don't need them park in them. In this instance there were shit loads of other spaces.

I absolutely WOULD NOT begrudge a BB holder or someone without a BB who had need of it to use it.

MRSB - You mentioned upthread that people must agree with you because this thread has been started. I would never ever try to argue that parents should be able to use disabled bays - it is not a 'level playing field' and tbh you are talking out of your arse. Please don't speak for me.

It's bloody hard work isn't it Westiemamma, don't bang your head, join me in some .

You've made yourself very clear OP, don't worry, it's not you who has been coming out with the blue badge nonsense.

As a Blue Badge holder I have never seen a car park with a glut of empty bb.

If I want to park in a P&C space I will. Able bodied people can manage without them, they are a perk that is nice to use if it's there, that's all.

Al of you saying you can't cope without them how do you manage in hospital car parks, or council ones in town, or heaven forbid an NCP multi-storey?

I'm like MrsDV, I had my kids in the 90's there were only about 3 P&C spaces per supermarket car park, we all coped fine.

Oh. Well I must have missed some posts then, because I didn't realise that ppl were up in arms about blue badge holders using a p&c space. Of course that wouldn't bother me.
That'll teach me to skim read.

We're very spoiled here mrs devere. Loads of p&c spaces. Everywhere!
They're great IMO, and I do get pissed off when they' "abused" but I can't agree with a suggestion that a disabled space could be used as a p&c space. If there's no useable space when I have both dcs and the coupe I just go shop elsewhere, slapping my own forehead for coming out in the wrong car. But then, I know I'm fortunate to have these choices.
My friend has a sticker in her rear window: "if you want my space you can have my disability" old, I'm sure, I guess everyone's seen them.
She's a printer so has suggested she makes me one that says should get one that says: "if you want my p&c space you're welcome to take my useless pelvic floor".

Of course they aren't needed but if they are available why not make the most of them?
I don't get why people are vilified for wanting to use a facility that is aimed at them?