Blue Badge Parking Fees

[SPAP]

After overwhelming opposition, Bromley Council has decided to reverse its plans to introduce Blue Badge parking fees in its car parks. Our objections were based on the fact that it must be an unfair proposal, if able-bodied people have the choice to walk or cycle to their destination and pay nothing, while Blue Badge holders have to park (due to their disability) and under the plan, pay.

We're aware that many other councils charge and would urge other members of the public to object. It's the principle of Blue Badge holders paying more then able-bodied people, as well as the cost. We are hoping that our success can be replicated nationally and that ultimately Blue Badge holders will not have to pay anywhere in the country.

Jesus Christ. You live rurally then you drive to the nearest bloody town or city and then you have the choice to pay the parking fees or you can park 10 minutes away and walk. No-one’s making you cycle 20 miles to fucking John Lewis.

OP, you’ve been infinitely patient with unreasonable people.

The mere comparison in any way demonstrates a lack of understanding.

This absolutely isn't always possible for a myriad of reasons. Have you ever considered disabled or elderly people that couldn't manage the 10 minute walk but don't qualify for a BB? There also isn't always free parking available within a 10 minutes distance in some cities and towns. You would have a much further walk in a city near me if you wanted to go to John Lewis. Everywhere you can park that's close by is either paid parking or permit only.

Even if they can’t walk from free or cheaper parking, they could drive somewhere where there is free or cheaper parking then access public transport. Something that isn’t an option for some disabled people.

Get on the bloody bus then.

Elderly people get a free bus pass.

Oh, I actually had more to post in answer to your post but now I’m wondering if you think old people should have their free bus passes taken off them? Then don’t all need one and plenty of them are well loaded.

Or is it just disabled people getting something you don’t that irks you?

The point is @SPAP that you keep going back to ‘ BB holders are the most vulnerable in society ‘ and that is blatantly untrue as I’m pretty sure at least 50% of us will know of someone with a BB that is definitely not in that criteria . I’m sorry your daughter is so disabled and I’m sorry that you have aggressive MS but you do need to at least see that some people in this country live with disability and severe illness yet do not qualify for a BB .

Yes exactly and huge amounts of Blue badge are issued to people over state pension age who are more likely to be in receipt of Attendance Allowance which has no mobility component anyway.

Bus fares are at least £2 for any journey here so even if they could find a cheap or free car park right near an appropriate bus route (not at all easy to do) then any savings would be wiped out by the bus fare unless they had a bus pass. It would also be very difficult for my elderly grandma to do this whereas she can just about manage the drive into town. My disabled relative would also be unable to cope with this but he doesn't qualify for a BB so we have to pay for parking when taking him places.

I'm not trying to be flippant but there are just so many cases where what you suggest isn't a realistic viable alternative that it is effectively a red herring. If it was a good alternative then loads of people would be doing it already to get around the parking charges.

So the blue badge scheme isn’t helping as many people as it could so some of you think free parking for disabled people who do get a BB is unfair? The logic isn't logicing.

Oh and loads of people do do the whole parking further away thing. Or maybe you only know rich folk who happily pay £8.20 an hour to park in Edinburgh City Centre? I only know poor people.

Not sure why you are mentioning a disabled relative wouldn’t manage public transport (and if an elderly relative wouldn’t manage it she also sounds disabled). More than once on this thread I have posted exactly that. Not once did I say only disabled people with a BB wouldn’t manage it!

If it was a good alternative then loads of people would be doing it already to get around the parking charges.

Actually, they do in many areas. Hence why so many streets become permit holders only.

£2 per journey and cheap parking is still cheaper than many town/city centre car parks. And, elderly people do have a bus pass.

If anyone with a BB is worried about parking at train stations you could check if the car park is run by APCOA as they will issue you with a parking pass if you have a BB. It is done online and you don't get a physical pass but it is a good scheme for anyone using trains.

I'm not sure if it works in other APCOA car parks, we just use it for the train.

It is about equality. Why should some disabled people get free parking and others not if neither group has any real viable alternative than to pay for parking? I also think there is an argument for lots of other groups too and this is when it becomes expensive and therefore unworkable. It is much simpler and fairer that everyone pays the same. The logic is absolutely sound.

I don't live somewhere that costs £8.20 an hour for parking so obviously not as rich as you think. My area charges around £2.50 an hour. If you only want to stay for an hour or two then it's easy to see how parking somewhere cheaper and getting a bus would cost more money.

YOU DONT TAKE SOMETHING ONE PART OF SOCIETY NEEDS JUST BECAUSE ITS NOT GETTING TO 100% OF PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.

I'm just saying that lots of people that live far away from town centres and rurally aren't able to complete the complex method that @UmopapIsdn suggested. It's not just the case that only those with BB badges struggle and yet by letting BB holders park for free it increases the cost for other vulnerable people that don't have any other realistic alternatives either.

I know lots of streets have permits that was exactly my point. Before this then the argument that you could just park and walk a reasonable distance was much more viable. Understandably this is much harder now in lots of areas.

For my area then the £4 return bus journey plus paying for the cheaper parking would make it more expensive when popping into town for an hour or two.

I honestly dont understand why your stance isn’t that we need something to help those that are disabled but don’t get a BB. Your solution is that no-one gets help. And you call that the LOGICAL solution.

You cannot be serious.

Make it make sense.

not just the case that only those with BB badges struggle

Again, I don’t know why this is relevant to what I posted (you quoted me, not @UmopapIsdn). If you actually read what I have written, nowhere have I said only those with BB struggles.

I know lots of streets have permits that was exactly my point.

So then you must know lots of people actually are ‘doing it already to get around the parking charges.’ So much so that some streets become permit holders only.

This 100%.

Excellent post.

Same here - I don't object to BB parking being free, what I do object to is the Op trying to paint the picture that everyone who holds a BB is the same.

Blue Badge holders (the most vulnerable in our society) is really quite offensive to millions of BB holders.
The assertation that everyone who has an issue with mobility is in dire financial straits.
The ridiculous notion that everyone without a BB can walk to work / into their nearest town centre is just ludicrous.

"complex method"

That made me actually snort laugh. Driving in, parking a bit away and walking the last part. Complex. How are people even passing their driving tests if that sounds complex?

Of course I'm serious. It isn't viable to offer free parking to everyone that has mobility issues or is in poverty or has some other reason why they are more adversely impacted by parking charges than other people. It would be impossible to administrate over such a system and would be extortionately expensive. The only fair solution therefore is that nobody gets free parking. It is absolutely not more logical to arbitrarily decide that BB holders should get free parking and everyone else (including other vulnerable people) should subsidise them.

But not all Blue Badge holders are car owners.

I give lifts to 2 people with Blur Badges, who don't have cars (hence why I give them lifts.....) so not sure that's relevant.

Fair. That's fair? Even though it would prevent many disabled people being able to get out and about. Because guess what? Many disabled people are poor. That’s just a fact whether you like it or not. Not all no. But many.

Some of the opinions on this thread are reprehensible.

Being a poor disabled person doesn't qualify you for a BB. There are very specific tests in place. This thread has many examples of people that would be considered well off that qualify for a BB. It isn't means tested!

I have a different opinion than you but it certainly isn't 'reprehensible'. I will never support a policy that is intrinsically unfair and doesn't differentiate between the poor and rich/able and disabled well enough to be fit for purpose.

I suspect SCOPE (as that is their reason d'etre) have carried out their research with families that live with a lifelong disability.
I very much believe the figures for many of the people SCOPE support.

However
A huge number of BB holders (I'd suggest the majority) are older folk who have lost their mobility as they have aged. Including many who are doing very nicely, financially.

I know how it works. And I know not everyone that needs one is getting one. Which means things need to be improved NOT TAKEN AWAY.

I do find your opinion that no one gets free parking because not everyone that needs it is getting it. It’s reprehensible as well as illogical.

Scope’s research doesn’t exclude people who become disabled.