Portsmouth City Council
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Disabled Forum comments
Use this forum if you have any questions or comments about the blue badge scheme, or disabled bays.
(If you wish to report blue badge fraud, specific incidents will not be published on the forum but will be investigated)
Should you wish to contribute, please use the following email: parkingforum@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Subject: Reviewing Disabled Parking Bays
Date: 18/07/2008
Comment: How often are disabled parking spaces reviewed? For example if someone moves and they previously had a disabled spot how soon would the Council paint over the road markings to make that space available?
DC - Portsmouth
Response: Disabled parking bays are officially reviewed every 3 years. However residents and neighbours also inform the council that a bay is no longer required, particularly now that the disabled bays are becoming enforceable. Once this programme is complete, it will be necessary to display a Blue Badge (or permit)_ at all times when using a designated disabled bay. Therefore, a non-disabled resident moving into a property with an enforceable bay outside will ask for it be removed, or they will not be able to park there.
Members of the public can also query the continued need for particular bays by contacting the Parking Service.
Subject: Disabled Blue Badges
Date: 27/04/2008
Comment: On the 1st April I parked in High Street Portsmouth displaying my friend's disabled badge on the windscreen.
When we got back to the car there was a parking Penalty Charge Notice attached to my windscreen which, needless to say, I found distressing to say the least.
I had placed the badge photo side up in the windscreen which I later discovered was the wrong way up but as my friend is not only disabled but also suffers from dementia she would be unaware of this mistake.
I understand that when disable badges are issued the recipient also receives a booklet with instructions as to how to display the badge. There is nothing on the badge itself which says 'front or back' and to me, it seemed logical to show the photo of the disabled person. I have since spoken to several non disabled friends who all said they would have thought that the photo side was the right way up.
Fortunately, on appeal, my Penalty Charge was cancelled but even on the letter I received it just said "Please ensure that a valid badge is clearly displayed in the windscreen of the vehicle 'with all details clearly visible' in order to avoid the issue of a Penalty Charge Notice" and not which way up it should be displayed.
May I suggest that perhaps it could be made more clear for friends of disabled people the correct way to display these badges.
JH - Portsmouth
Response: You are correct that upon the issue of a Blue Badge, the badge holder also receives a 'Rights and Responsibilities' booklet (formerly known as the Blue Badge Scheme booklet, pre Oct 2007). Page 9 of both the new and old booklet advises that when using the Blue Badge, it should be displayed so that the front of the badge showing the wheelchair symbol can be seen from the outside of the car. It is important to display the badge this way so that the serial number and expiry date can be seen by the Civil Enforcement Officers to confirm that the badge is valid.
Please be advised that in October 2007, the Department for Transport made several amendments to the Blue Badge; one of which was the addition of the words 'Front - Display this side up' on the front of the badge to aid both badge holders and the people who transport them when making use of the concessions the badge provides. All badges issued and renewed since this date contain this new information.
Any motorists who are unsure of the concessions or procedures for using the Blue Badge can contact our Blue Badge Section by phone, letter or email where we will be happy to answer any questions and give advice. Please note that we can also provide copies of the Rights and Responsibilities booklet upon request.
Subject: Enforceable Disabled Parking Bays
Date: 11/04/2008
Comment: I live in Copnor and was informed that the upgrading of my disabled bay would take place in January 2008 it is now April and was wondering if it would be possible to give me a date for completion of the work. At the moment I dont go out because as soon as I move out of the bay somebody from the next street parks there ,this is a concern as the vehicle is left for 2 or 3 days at a time I have asked him politely not to park there but he ignores me. At least with the blue badge sign outside I can legally ask him to move, unless he displays a badge.
Resident - Copnor, Portsmouth
Response: Please be advised that any dates given to disabled parking bay holders as to when work is due to commence in their area are only estimates, as due to the work involved in upgrading each area and the possible delays, we are unable to give exact timescales as to when work will commence. Due to delays in the legal processes involved, work did not begin to upgrade the city's disabled parking bays until May 2007, which was later than first planned.
I can advise you that work is due to commence in your area in approximately June or July 2008. This is again, only an estimate and you will be advised in writing when work is due to commence in your area.
Subject: Enforceable Disabled Parking Bays
Date: 22/03/2008
Comment: Could you please inform me what the current legislation is regarding parking bays for 'Disabled' bays.
I was lead to believe that the that if someone not holding blue card parked in a 'Disabled Bay', that from January 2008 it would become an offence either local council-bye -laws or Department of Transport legislation.
Resident - Portsmouth
Response: Please be advised that Portsmouth City Council is currently in the process of upgrading the city's residential disabled parking bays from courtesy to enforceable bays. Although the Traffic Regulation Order for this went live in May 2007, work to upgrade the 1,500 bays within the city is being completed as part of a two-year rolling programme.
An enforceable disabled parking bay can be identified by a sign erected next to it stating 'Parking for disabled badge holders only'. Please note that until such time that a bay is upgraded, there is no requirement to display a Blue Badge and once enforceable, bay holders will be able to request a permit, specific to their vehicle and address, which will allow them to park in the bay allocated to them without the need to display the Blue Badge.
Once a disabled parking bay has been upgraded, any motorist that parks within it without displaying a valid Blue Badge or disabled bay permit will be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice.
Subject: Disabled Parking Bays
Date: 13/03/2008
Comment: There are three clearly marked disabled parking bays located within the grounds of the local Health Centre. At least one usually has a company van parked there daily. It also has other "regular" non-disabled parkers using the bays.
Does anybody have responsibility for policing these bays?
BA - Portsmouth
Response: The disabled parking bays which you refer to are located on private land and therefore cannot be enforced by Portsmouth City Council. The Parking Service are only able to enforce disabled parking bays located on the public highway.
We would suggest you talk with the practice manager at the centre about your concerns and they we hope will have a word with the company of the van which regularly parks in the area.
