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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want p&c spaces to be renamed "easy access" spaces?

401 replies

UndramaticPause · 23/01/2016 19:56

This has been triggered by other threads but also by life events as a person with disabilities and reduced mobility who doesn't fit blue badge criteria.

We all know and love the p&c warriors and I have had the misfortune to be accosted by them in carparks and have had photos of my car plastered on Facebook parking pages as I will use these spaces if they are close to the shops to alleviate fatigue and pain.

Aibu to think there must be a large amount of people like me or with temporary issues like a broken leg or recovering from surgery who could benefit from the rebrand?

OP posts:
TheFairyCaravan · 24/01/2016 18:57

Starbores why don't you calm down, get down from your high horse and actually read the posts? 2rebecca asked why Sirzy doesn't get home delivery etc, so I asked why you don't, if that's the case. What's good for one is good for the other, see?

The only person who is expecting everyone to justify why and when they park in a p&c space is you. Most of us can see that there's a whole load of other reasons, than just having an under 8 yo, why someone might need one!

honkinghaddock · 24/01/2016 18:59

I'm beginning to think someone is on a wind up. Surely no one is that lacking in empathy.

hazeyjane · 24/01/2016 19:00

sadly honking, people with blue badges have been fined for parking in the parent & child spaces of some supermarkets.

There is an article about it somewhere, written after the journalists elderly, disabled parents had had an abusive note stuck to their windscreen by an irate parent after they had parked in a p&c space. There are some charming people out there (and on here, it seems!)

3sugarsplease · 24/01/2016 19:01

How does it make us precious to use these spaces? Have you seen the side of car seats which he government require us to have? They are not easy to manoeuvre in and out of cars without having a considerable amount of space next to you. Surely we are not being precious but considerate as to not hit a car next to us?

Starbores · 24/01/2016 19:02

That's my whole point hazey, it's a courtesy provided by the supermarket for a particular group of shoppers.

We have had numerous people on this thread state why they can and do use the spaces but nobody seems actually willing to campaign for a change of spaces to wider spaces for all vehicles and obviously reserved spaces near the enterance for blue badge holders.

Lurked I'm not even going to engage with you, way to many assumptions made in your post. It's quite clear when somebody's just looking for an argument.

Starbores · 24/01/2016 19:03

fairy I'm not on my high horse I'm in my car feeling very entitled and a special flower because I have babies.

honkinghaddock · 24/01/2016 19:05

Did it go as far as being taken to court though or did they just pay up? I'm sure my local supermarkets wouldn't like the bad publicity.

PirateSmile · 24/01/2016 19:05

Parking bays will never be made wider for all cars because shops want as many people as possible in their car parks.

PirateSmile · 24/01/2016 19:07

Starbores. I believe that a disabled driver should take priority over a parent with children. It may be difficult for you to get your dc out of the car but it could be impossible for a disabled person.

Starbores · 24/01/2016 19:09

Pirate I don't think anyone has a problem with blue badge holders using a p&c space if no disabled bays are available. I think the post above about a disabled driver being prosecuted is terrible.

Lurkedforever1 · 24/01/2016 19:10

Nobody has said parents shouldn't use p&c spaces. Just that they are a convenience, not a necessity, and that its entitled to object to people using them who actually need them just because they don't have a small child.

star a bit like approaching someone using a p&c space then?

tellmemore1982 · 24/01/2016 19:11

I just wanted to counter one of the comments that continues to arise in P&C discussions, the sentiment that giving parents extra space is fine so long as it doesn't inconvenience anyone else, therefore they should be at the back of the car park not near the door

A lot of people seem to forget that the priority is actually safety, not convenience. Young children cannot be seen in car parks, they're too small to spot between cars or even behind a car in many cases. Whilst we are all responsible for the safety of our children, I think every parent has been in the situation where a small child isn't thinking, is upset (especially when hungry) and could run out in front of a car, between two cars, in seconds a tragedy could happen, especially in the dark. Seats in trolleys work for some but not for all, especially if you have more than one child under 5.

One accident where a child was run over or God forbid one death would be one too many.

Children cannot be seen in car parks, as a mother and a driver that's why I believe they should be as close to the door as possible. It's not because I'm too lazy to walk to the front or because I'm entitled, the safest place for any child to be is away from cars.

hazeyjane · 24/01/2016 19:12

Star are you talking about the people on this thread who have said they will use them, for elderly relatives who have mobility issues, or older children who are disabled but don't qualify for a blue badge - if you are then I really think that it is pretty shit to begrudge people, who are dealing with these issues the opportunity to use a space, which will make their trip easier.

I am guessing that in between caring for someone with a disability, and fighting for a blue badge, starting a campaign for wider access spaces (when these spaces already exist, in the form of parent and child spaces) might be a big ask.

Sirzy · 24/01/2016 19:12

It's simple, if a p and c space is there and you think you need it use it, if there isn't one park elsewhere. No need to get upset, or start abusing other people just because they park somewhere you think they shouldn't, especially when that thought is based on ignorance no knowledge of what that person is living.

TheFairyCaravan · 24/01/2016 19:12

You're certainly not coming across that way Starbores.

I always use the P&C spaces at our local Sainsburys because they're right next to the door. The disabled ones are across the carpark and up a hill. I have complained, and emailed head office. Nothing changed, they told me I won't be fined so DH parks in them every time.

hownottofuckup · 24/01/2016 19:15

Well put tellme

honkinghaddock · 24/01/2016 19:21

There is always the option of reins for children who may run out between cars. My son always wears a harness because he has no understanding of car park or road safety.

Starbores · 24/01/2016 19:24

Fairy blue badge holders using p&c spaces is not what this discussion was about. I'm well aware that bb holders have a legal right to access and obviously their need for an accessible space is greater.

The point I'm trying to make is those using p&c spaces -who don't meet the criteria that they are provided for- how can they judge their need is greater than anybody else?

The spaces are not called easy access spaces they are called p&c spaces.

honkinghaddock · 24/01/2016 19:26

Starbores I don't understand how someone can begrudge someone with a 9 year old with the understanding of a baby, the use of a p and c space.

TheFairyCaravan · 24/01/2016 19:30

How can you judge your need is greater than someone else's Star?

Starbores · 24/01/2016 19:33

I'm not fairy I meet the criteria displayed on the signs in the parking area.

TheFairyCaravan · 24/01/2016 19:37

So you'd begrudge my friend parking there when her DH broke both his legs and was in a wheelchair?

tellmemore1982 · 24/01/2016 19:37

Calling them "easy access" spaces would suggest the purpose of them was to do just that.. Give easy and convenient access to the store.

Except the purpose of P&C is safety not convenience so I totally disagree with the suggestion they should be rebranded.

hazeyjane · 24/01/2016 19:37

But Star, there are people on this thread and in rl who would think it is perfectly fine to have a go at someone with an older child using the space.

The parent and child spaces are there as a convenience, isn't it a kind thing to share that convenience with someone who is struggling

Starbores · 24/01/2016 19:37

Haddock I appreciate I don't know what issues that 9 year old has but neither does the parent of the 9 year old know that another couple using the p&c has dementia for example.

Many people have issues which a more accessible space would be helpful for but then there would be no spaces left would there so until supermarkets widen their spaces or change p&c to accessible spaces as the op suggested then somebody is going to be struggling.