A disabled parking one

[lilygirl81]

I can't do a diagram I'm afraid as posting from the car.

I have a blue badge and the council provided a disabled space directly outside my flat. It is a generic disabled space, not linked to my badge number or anything like that, but provided on my request.

Yesterday and today I have been out and arrived home around the same time, to find another car parked in the space. They also have a blue badge, so not disputing they have a right to park there.

My AIBU is to see if it would be ok for me to write them a note along with an application form for a parking space of their own, and explain that if I cannot park in my space, the nearest place I can park (very congested streets) requires me to get my wheelchair out, wheel up to the flat, then use my crutches to get into the building as the entrance is not wheelchair accessible. I can only do this if there is someone around to then collect my wheelchair and either put it back in the car or into the flat, as I can't manage that myself. If I get my space, I just need my crutches.

I saw the driver of the car come out of flats on the other side of the road, so a space on their side would be more suitable for them too. The person that drove away did not gave an obvious mobility issue, so I suspect the badge is either for a hidden disability or for someone they look after, but it didn't seem that parking 15m further down the street would be as much of a difficulty for them as for me.

Sorry that's such a long explanation

[clairethewitch70]

Luckless we have tried, there is no parking for the row of shops where we are, no pay and display, nothing. The council wants to kill off high street shops. No parking for streets around.

[PlayOnWurtz]

She can't hold the space indefinitely on the off chance her once a week trip to the shops lift picks her up. She will have been told when she applied for the space anyone can park in it.

[clairethewitch70]

I think the space is for her husband who works but she is very protective of it. It is empty most of the day. I am only there in the day, we could timeshare it. But she is the local busybody, campaigning to stop the Takeaway from extending their hours, that type of thing, curtain twitcher. DH said she is unapproachable, one of our regular customer had the brunt of her voice.

[lilygirl81]

I can't believe the woman shouts if you park there, as other posters have said, blue badges are all equal and the space can be used by all. I know if this car wants to carry on parking there then there is nothing I can do. I'd definitely not be aggressive about it

[LucklessMonster]

clairethewitch70 I think you should use it guilt-free.

[ZackyVengeance]

its pretty rotten to park in a space that someone has jumped through hoops to get. op i think other person should get their own space, the council are not going to give you another one.

[clairethewitch70]

Maybe I will pluck up the courage to use it next time I am there, whilst having one eye out of the window watching my car.

[user1486562272]

My MIL's partner had a similar issue, it was very quickly resolved by the council putting a second space just behind the first.

As you rightly point out, anyone with a valid blue badge is entitled to park there and it's not "yours" simply because you applied for it, but it is easily sorted.

[sunshin3yellow]

If you have gone to the trouble of applying and having the space put there, right outside your house, then really it should be allocated to your badge. It's a shame that hasn't been done. (Can it? I don't know whether this is a possibility?)

Try and catch whoever it is when they park up or go round to their house if you know who it is? Note would be ok if you don't know who or where. Just explain why you personally applied for it and the difficulties you have getting to your house if you can't park there, and ask if they will apply for another space?

If they have managed without it so far, and it's suddenly appeared they may have decided to use it because they have a badge and it's just convenient. I wonder whether it impacts on their life as much as it does yours or it is just a case of having a blue badge so using it because it's there? They might not use it if they don't need it the way you do and realise the circumstances around your application or get another space sorted?

[roseshippy]

The disabled bay is an all likelihood not actually a legal bay anyway.

It's just advisory.

Anyone can park there.

[ZackyVengeance]

unless it has a pole than it is

[roseshippy]

actually the requirement is for a TRO.

They take about two years and the chance the council has bothered to do one is very small.

[lilygirl81]

clairethewitch I think in your situation, if you spoke to me and explained, and I didn't need the space when you did, I'd have no issue at all sharing the space.

[Auspiciouspanda]

They might not be able to get another one put in the same street, I applied for my grandmother to have a disability space but it was rejected as there was already one a few spaces down and they aren't specifically for certain people basically.

[DisneylandDreams]

It is rough, but unfortunately I think I remember when I got my bb, it was explained to me that even disabled bays placed by residences are available for anyone who has a badge, and can therefore be taken by other people. I think if this other person has just moved into the area though, then the council ought to create them their own residential disabled bay.

[anxious2017]

Use the space - it's not hers.

[like7]

Maybe this other person thought it had been put there for them? - maybe they've also applied? Sounds like 2 spaces are needed. I'd ring council for advice. Very frustrating when you do all the form filling and finally get a space and then find it regularly taken. Even though it doesn't belong to you, it's there because you applied so surely it should be available to you most of the time)

[merlynsam]

On what basis are blue badges issued to an actual spot ie one that you and only you could use?

I am currently staying with disabled friend. He is a blue badge holder. It is a small road where residents only park on the opposite side to allow single file to pass the parked cars.

The two council-marked disabled bays have the wheelchair sign PLUS the house number. They are, therefore, allocated to the car belonging to the disabled residents in those houses. NOT THEIR VISTORS NOR ANYONE ELSE.

It is a long-standing community so everyone on the opposite side parks outside of their house. Although my friend is approved for a designated and numbered space opposite to his house, he would upset his opposite neighbours. The council won't give him a designated space on the corner of the side road where he usually parks and can walk from (using the wall) as he can only have a designated space on his own road.

Ask your council to return and put your residence number on your allocated space.

[lilygirl81]

Like7 I've had the space for almost 2 years, so don't think they would think that. They might not realise that you can get one from the council though.

Disneylanddreams I think that is exactly what has happened, new to the street and not realised. There is another space at the other end of the street on the opposite side, so I think you could easily think the council had just put one at each end for general use.

Rosehippy I've never been sure how enforceable the space is, so I generally appeal to people's better nature if they park there without a badge. There is a proper sign up beside it saying BB holders only, but that is the only official thing (other than the markings on the road)

Merlynsam I'm not sure if I can get the property number on the space, my council only seem to do generic ones (been keeping an eye out when out and about)

[MissingTheVillage]

Claire Could your DH drop you off, in the disabled space, then park further away himself? If I've understood correctly and you both arrive together.