AIBU to think it's ok for disabled to park in P&C parking spaces

[SparkyStar84]

After the fun with the last post, going from experience too, I wondered how many would support the notion of the buses legislation AND a disabled person parking in a P&C space where ever, if the disabled spaces are full.

Technically we have the right too with a badge.

I've had issues before where the person with me has parked in a P&C space, without DC present, parents have got quite ratty.

Yes I do

If there is no blue badge spaces left, then yes I think a BB holder can park in a P&C space

I know this has probably been discussed before, I know the argument for P&C spaces. Some even suggested having them further away, as its space they need, not a quick dash into the shops.

This should be interesting.

I personally wouldn't have a problem with this at all.

Same as the bus issue - having kids is a choice, being disabled is not. If there were no disabled spaces available, I think this would be fine.

For a lot of disabled people, parking further away from a shop or having to navigate narrow parking spaces would be a nightmare.

It would just be an inconvenience for someone with a pram.

I don't 'need' to use thise spaces any more (if I ever really did), but I wouldn't dream of complaining that a disabled person was using them.
That's not to say the average supermarket shopper with five kids or less fewer would feel the same - I'd lime to hope so.

I would hope that people would be absolutely fine about it. P&C spaces for parents are a convience, nothing more. For disabled people having wide access and being close to the shop/lifts or whatever is often the difference between being able to get out or not.

YANBU, a disabled person has every right to, and would have my full support. It doesn't work the other way round though

Like I mean.
Fwiw, I remember the first time I experienced these spaces (prob about 15+ years ago). They seemed like a novelty, and I assumed sainsbo's were trying them out and they'd be a fad. Of course, I was an enthusiastic user of the wider space when I had to strap in one or two small people, but it wouldn't have been the end of the workd if I'd had to park at the far side in order to get the extra space.

Ds is disabled and not entitled to a blue badge. If a P and C space is The most convenient for getting him and his chair out the car then I will use one.

Completely fine for blue badge holders to park wherever they need to as long as it's done safely. No problems at all with them using p&c spaces. I will admit to occasionally using them with my mum who uses a stick but doesn't have a BB though I suspect this would be frowned upon.

I would hope, like in the case of the wheelchair/buggy bus spaces, disabled people should have priority over P&C spaces. A disabled person should be able to use the P&C spaces without someone protesting that manoeuvring their baby's car seat makes their life harder than having a disability does.

Yes, I think a Blue Badge holder should be able to use the P&C spaces if there are no disabled spaces available. The additional room around a P&C space and the proximity to the shop is a nice convenience for parents - but for some Blue Badge holders it would be a necessity and if al the disabled bays are taken it would actually make the difference between them being able to park up and do their shopping or not.

Also, plenty of disabled people are also parents of young children anyway.

(As an aside, my dad has a Blue Badge and I never cease to be amazed by how twattish some people can be towards Blue Badge holders, so it's nice to see people here saying they agree they should be able to use P&C spaces if there's no alternative.)

I don't think P&C are legally enforceable, are they?

I would have no problems with a blue badge parking in a P&C space (or being asked to fold a pushchair in the days I took one), however it is rare I find a full care park without emptying blue badge spaces. Maybe I don't live somewhere where they are in demand, or I don't shop at times blue badge holders prefer???

I would have a problem with someone who had a problem with a disabled person using a parent and child space!

Blue badge trumps everything. Totally fine to park.

P&C spaces should be promoted as extra wide spaces for people who need them, not just parents with DC or Blue Badge holders, so carers with elderly who don't qualify for BBs, anyone with mobility problems etc. Yes this won't stop dickheads who don't need the extra space parking there but tbh dickheads just park where they want anyway!

I have 3 dc, youngest is 1. I'd offer my bus space or parking space to a wheelchair user any time. My mum uses a wheelchair so I understand that she can't park elsewhere and be able to get out, whereas I could figure it out with a baby.

There's always one.

IMO, a blue badge holder can park anywhere that is safe and legal. That most certainly includes P&C spaces. Although not apparently everyone - when my dad was still able to stagger from the carpark into their local Waitrose (a staff member would then push him round the shop in a wheelchair and take him back, but he could neither lift a chair from the car or self propel) he'd been told to park in P&C when the disabled bays were full - it's a small car park and they frequently are full. A woman pulled up and was effing and blinding at him and told him he had no right to be there. Dad was scared and upset, but was rescued by the car park attendant who told her dad could park wherever he pleased

I'd be ashamed to turn a disabled person away.

YABU. The parent & child space is for parents with children! The disabled spaces are reserved for the disabled! It's really not that difficult to understand. Disabled people should not use the parent & child spaces unless they are with their parent or child (or the parent or child is the disabled one of course).

Yep, Spaxx really said that.

I don't believe the P&C 'rules' are enshrined in law, as someone pointed out, so actually any Tom, Dick or Harry can park there if they feel like it. The're just a marketing ploy to get parents into the shop. Tough shit if I park there with no kids Spaxx. Or anyone else, disabled or not.

I have a blue badge and park in P&C bay when all disabled bays are full. In some supermarkets I go to, P&C are closer to the door than the disabled bays. Irritates the fuck out of me!

And I do get regular abuse for not having DS with me and not looking disabled enough. Unless I get my wheelchair out of the boot...

"Why would it be acceptable for a disabled driver to use the parent & child space, potentially forcing a parent with a child to use an unreserved space, when it (presumably) would be seen as wrong for a parent to use the disabled space because the parent & child ones are full?"

Fairly obviously, because nobody needs a P&C space. They are conveniences, nothing more. If a parent can't get a P&C space, they can make do in a normal space or just find a quieter bit of the car park.

For many disabled people, having a space with a bit more space around it and being close to the shops/lifts/whatever literally is the difference between being able to do anything and not.

Merging them would mean that the often inadequate disabled provision is even further open to abuse. So no, let's not do that.

But spaxx as a fully abled parent, you can get your child out. Even if it's a bit more difficult or further away.

A disabled person would have to turn around and go home if the space wasn't available.

Completely different

Course it is fine.

I've said this befire however it's remarkable the amount of people who take their kids swimming and to gymnastics or horseriding or theme parks where no such spaces exist then all of a sudden lose the ability to park at a supermarket.