Parent and child spaces - would you sign this petition?

[confuseddazed]

A woman has set up a petition for safeguarding parent and parking spaces for under 5s here

P&C spaces are useful. The other day we couldn't park in one so used another normal space. Fine, until we came back to find the person parked next to us on the side the car seat was had parked so badly that there was no way I was going to get the seat in (it's one that attaches to the pram). There wasn't enough room on the other side either. Handily I was with my dad so he was able to move the car so I could get in. If I'd been on my own it would have been a lot harder.
I don't think they need to be protected the way disabled spaces are though, or by the entrance to the shop. A permit system would be too costly to run, and probably wouldn't achieve anything anyway. I think we're lucky these spaces exist at all.

I think the real problem is that cars have got bigger and bulkier but parking spaces have stayed the same size.

MorrisZapp, bolting toddlers can wear reins.
There are plenty of people older than 4 who need the space more.

Morriszapp- you are going to have to look after your toddler once in the shop or town so I can't see why the car park is so different. If you can't manage it then get the reins, or strap him firmly in the trolley or pushchair.

My dsis refused to use them with her young children as closer near the door, more traffic and therefore more dangerous. Better furthest point from the door.

The epitome of "entitled"! Having said that, I can see the benefit of P&C spaces, not so much the distance aspect, more the extra 'elbow room' you get to open the car doors.

But I won't be signing a petition as supermarkets existed without them for decades without the world falling apart!

Wow, haven't read the whole thread but I don't see why pp are so against the spaces?! I agree that the OP is being OTT but I find the spaces a godsend. In my local supermarkets, they don't tend to be that close to the front - at Asda, some of them are right at the back! BUT they have wider spaces which are invaluable when you have wide doors and a car seat to get in and out, totally impossible if a car parks right up close to you.

I used to love P&C spaces when dd was small, not because I needed them for dd, but simply because they were so convenient and easy to park in. I thought it was a nice perk for parents with young kids - it never occurred to me that parents couldn't manage without them. I still don't really understand why they can't - if a P&C space wasn't available, I just parked elsewhere without any difficulty.

I wouldn't use those spaces now, even though I'd still like to, as I figure it's someone else's turn to enjoy the perk. However, to compare P&C spaces to disabled spaces is absolutely ludicrous in my view. Blue badge spaces are a necessity, P&C spaces are just a nice-to-have. Big difference.

As to always seeing empty disabled spaces - surely we should expect this? A disabled person should be able to find a space whenever they need one. If all of the disabled spaces were always in use, I would take that as an indication that there weren't enough of them.

That is exactly what I couldn't be bothered to write on page one !

The ones at my nearest supermarket were in constant demand when they were right outside the front of the building. Then they were moved, to two spots in the car park, next to pedestrian walkways protected by bollards, leading onto marked crossings. They are safer now, but not as well used, despite trolley bays next to them etc.

I wouldn't sign it. Yes they make life easier for young families but that's just it... They're a courtesy not an entitlement. Would rather see, like PPs have mentioned , bigger spaces as cars do seem to be wider these days.
What does aggravate me though is seeing P&C spaces being much closer to a supermarket's door and being undercover whilst the disabled spaces are just that bit further away and not under cover.

Yes mrsdevere is spot on.

I agree. MrsDV is right.

People don't see them as a handy perk; they see it as a right and a necessity. And they're too busy thinking about themselves to think about others.

And they do think they need the spaces right next to the door because presumably they never take their children anywhere other than the supermarket because they might encounter traffic if they walk to the park or visit the high street or even cross their own street.

Mrsdevere has said exactly what I feel. I have had dc pre and post p&c spaces too, I'm under 40 so not exactly biblical. This thread outlines why I would get rid perfectly, the whining, the sense of entitlement and the learned helplessness is, frankly, embarrassing.

Parents might find it easier to park if they weren't driving such large vehicles (as seems to be the norm where I live.)
Or they could shop online or at quieter times.

"They make life easier for young families and that's it".... Is that not enough?

Sirzy

Sorry Sirzy- posted too soon.
How would people have more need for parent and child spaces than parents with children??

I think that P&C spaces have a place. The wider spaces make it a million times easier to get car seats in, be able to reach in and buckle up seat belts, etc.

My kids are older now but when they were younger, I remember several times coming back to my car to find some knob her had parked so close, I couldn't get in the car, let alone get my DD in there. I've never owned a tank of a car either.

I do think they're in the wrong place though. They don't need to be right by the doors.

One of my local supermarkets has recently been extended and had a new car park. The P&C spaces are now away from the store along one side, with a paved footpath leading into the store.

The 'I'm just popping in' brigade don't park in them anymore.

However, there's now a row of disabled spaces along the front of the store where the P&C spaces used to be, so they just park in them instead

Spaces need to be larger all round. I have a small car but often I come back to find two massive cars either side which take up so much space that I can't get in my car. I'm a size 8 so I don't need much space to get in.

People other than those with young children have more need for the extra space and/or closeness to store that they provide. People who are disabled but without a blue badge etc.

The elderly person who struggled walking.

The person who has just had an operation.

The mother of the autistic teen who sometimes darts.

The person who is on crutches

The heavily pregnant woman.

Do you want me to continue? All could have much more need to be near the shops (or have the extra door room) than someone who 'just' has children.

erm no, if anything more disabled bays are required.