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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to park in this disabled bay?

39 replies

MyFairyKing · 17/07/2014 23:11

Brief background to avoid drip feeding: I am a blue badge holder and I live on a busy residential road where many houses do not have drives, so people park along the road. I have not been in this house very long and have asked the council for a disabled parking bay. They initially declined but I am continuing my mission. In the mean time....

A neighbour has a disabled parking bay very close to her house. I can usually find somewhere to park that is suitable for me. Occasionally, I cannot and if the bay is free, I will use it. If I can see another space come free, I will move my car, so I am not going out of my way to make her life difficult. She's now asked me not to use it at all Now, I don't want to cause neighbourly ructions but legally, it's not 'her' space. While I'm trying my best not to bother her, it's making me feel really shitty and anxious.

I suppose this is more of; what the hell do I do, apart from never leave the house again?

OP posts:

UptheChimney · 18/07/2014 08:13

Sorry if I'm being thick you usually are but is your neighbour also a Blue Badge holder? That would make it difficult, I can see. As someone says upthread, what about trying to make her an ally? Between you, pressure the Council for another disabled bay as you asked for initially.

cadidog · 18/07/2014 08:22

My mum did this when she was visiting us. She's a blue badge holder and parked in the allocated disabled space of a neighbour. He went mental and I don't blame him - his wife could barely walk from their house to the car. You may be legally entitled to park there but is their space so avoid using it.

If you had your own space and found someone else parked in it you'd soon realise how difficult that makes things. I really hope you get the council to help you out soon.

ShadowFall · 18/07/2014 08:29

Is the neighbour disabled and in need of the space herself? (despite it being a generic space rather than an allocated one)

That would be the only reason I can see that would make you parking there unreasonable.

Igggi · 18/07/2014 08:33

Yes, the neighbour is disabled.

Joysmum · 18/07/2014 08:37

How would you feel if you caught to get a space for you and somebody was parking in that?

Karma

juliascurr · 18/07/2014 09:17

write her a note explaining the situation; she might join your campagnfor a parking space

JenniferJo · 18/07/2014 09:19

I don't think you should use hers. Fight for your own and ask for her support.

Original poster

MyFairyKing · 18/07/2014 09:21

Joysmum Karma? WTF?! We are both disabled. It's not exactly a barrel of laughs. At least she was polite to me though.

Sienna I'd be entitled to my 'own' space if it weren't for 'hers'!

It is not her space but yeah, I'm not going to use it anymore.

OP posts:

Original poster

MyFairyKing · 18/07/2014 09:24

It was good advice to ask her some tips on getting the council to agree, so thank you for that. :) Perhaps she would write a supportive letter explaining that 'her' space is very much needed too, so our council may be more inclined to be less arseholeish.

I am about to start a job with my local council, so I'm going to have to find some big wig who would kindly help me out a bit. My friend's a lawyer, so I'm going to ramp it up and ask for her advice too.

OP posts:

Dutch1e · 20/07/2014 09:34

Great idea. Keep us updated, please? I often wonder what the outcomes are to the MN stories!

Blu · 20/07/2014 09:46

The vast majority of bays are generic but placed where there is an identified need. Roads round us can have clusters of bays if there are a few disabled residents in the area.

Of course you are entuyled to use it, as is the Blue Badge holding visitor of any of your other neighbours

I would have a friendly conversation with her, tell her you are asking the council to designate an additional bay, and suggest to her that since only having one bay in the road is now inconveniencing her as she has a new disabled neighbour, she might also like to write to the council and ask that they install an additional bay.

Blu · 20/07/2014 09:50

Fish: I think there has to be a notice on the kerb . On a post or on the wall, not just road markings, for it to be enforceable.

starfishmummy · 20/07/2014 09:57

I know that legally you are entitled to use it - and I would be tempted - but imagine it was the other way round? How would you feel?

MiscellaneousAssortment · 20/07/2014 13:51

Defo use her to campaign to council - its horrible when disabled people get set against each other as there aren't enough resources. It's also a classic move - get people fighting amongst themselves vs campaigning for change from the people who are actually in power...

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