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If you wish to report blue badge fraud, specific incidents will not be published on the forum but will be investigated.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: Loading Bans
Date: 13 July 2009
Comment: Please could you consider changing some of your road signs so that they are more clear and understandable to everyone.

My 80 year old disabled father received a parking ticket from Portsmouth City Council for parking in a restricted street where waiting and loading/unloading restrictions are in force. He thought that his Blue Badge allowed him to park on double yellow lines while he went in to get his glasses adjusted, and he didn't even notice the tiny 'No Waiting at any time/No loading at any time' signs.

But, even if he had, he would not have understood that they meant that he could not have parked there under any circumstances. Older people can get confused - and sloppy signage does not help!

So, if you mean 'Do not park here, even if you have a Blue Badge', why don't you just say that?

SL - Chichester

Response: Portsmouth City Council has to use the signage stipulated by the Department for Transport  and the same signs are used nationally to maintain consistency for motorists.  Local councils do not have the authority to use their own signage on public roads.  
 
The restriction in Charlotte Street and other roads across the city, No Waiting and No Loading At Any Time, is accompanied by double yellow stripes on the kerb at 3m intervals.  It is used in areas where it is unsuitable to leave a vehicle, even for short-term purposes such as unloading, in the interests of road safety and traffic management (preventing congestion).  Blue Badge holders receive clear guidelines on where the badge can and can't be used on issue of their badge and it is important that they are aware of the restrictions prior to using the badge.  
 
Charlotte Street is a narrow access road situated alongside a large car park.  This road provides vital access for the emergency services to the Cascades Centre. The Council has a responsibility to protect all members of the public by ensuring access routes for emergency vehicles are kept clear.

Subject: Parking without a disabled badge
Date: 1 April 2009
Comment: We have a disabled bay outside our house with the sign on the wall saying a blue badge must be displayed at all times – what can we do or should we do if we find someone parked there without displaying a blue badge? 

Should we report cars that park illegally? – if so to whom?

Response: Once the sign stating 'Disabled Badge Holders Only' has been installed at the bay allocated for your use, it will be legally enforceable and you will be able to report any vehicle parked within it without displaying a valid Blue Badge to our Transport Management Centre.

The Transport Management Centre is open between 7am and 10pm Monday to Saturday (including Bank Holidays but excluding Christmas Day) and between 9am and 6pm on Sundays. Should you wish to report a vehicle parked within a bay without displaying a valid Blue Badge please call 023 9268 8290. Upon calling, the operator will take the details of the vehicle and the location and ask a Civil Enforcement Officer to attend the bay at the earliest convenience. If the reported vehicle is not displaying a valid Blue Badge, the Civil Enforcement Officer will issue a Penalty Charge Notice to it (Please note that we are unable to remove a vehicle from a bay, we can only issue it with a parking ticket).

Subject: Disabled Bay Permits
Date: 29 January 2009
Comment: My mother is registered disabled and qualifies for a parking bay. We have completed the forms for permits for the cars registered to the address and I was somewhat dismayed to find only one permit issued – surely a permit should be issued for each car. The accompanying letter states the permit should be attached to the inside of the windscreen – we all know that if the “cling” holders are frequently moved then they no longer cling so I hope we won’t get penalised for having the permit on the dashboard as depending on where my Mum needs to go at what time depends on who takes her and which car uses the parking bay. The permit states the car registration so it is not as though by issuing 2 permits it allows anyone else to use them. It also relies on the person who last uses the permit to remove it from the vehicle and leave it in the house incase they are not the next person to use it so again we could get penalised if we forget at any time.

I just thought I would let you have my thoughts on this.

SA

Response: Thank you for your comments regarding the permits issued for disabled parking bays.

Only one permit is issued per bay as only one vehicle can use a bay at any time.  It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that the disabled parking permit is clearly displayed upon exiting the vehicle.  As long as the permit is placed so that it can be clearly seen from the outside of the vehicle, a Penalty Charge Notice will not be issued.  If the permit cannot be used for any reason, i.e. if it was left in the second vehicle, then the Blue Badge could be displayed to prevent the issue of a Penalty Charge Notice.

To date we have not been aware of any bay holders who have had problems with the use of the static cling permit holders, however if further permit holders are required, we can issue replacements without charge.

Subject: Disabled Parking on Match Days
Date: 3 January 2009
Comment: I parked my car in a disabled bay with my blue badge on display in Alverstone Road, there was already one car in the bay.  My car was then towed away along with the other car, both disabled.  It is not clearly marked that these bays are closed on match day, they are the only ones around that side of the pitch and its going to be along way to go if you are at Milton End or South Stand.  I cannot see why these two bays have to be closed, home fans in the Milton End and South Stand have to walk past parked cars after the game because you are not allowed to go past the away fans then back along Alvestone Road then past the disabled bays, these do not cause any obstruction.  Can somebody enlighten me on this and don't do as I did and copy other people

PC - Portsmouth

Response: Please be advised that part of Alverstone Road has a Prohibition of Waiting and Loading on Football Match Days.  The traffic regulation order has been in operation since the 22 August 2008 and all vehicles that are in contravention of this restriction will be removed by the Police who enforce it.

 
Drop down signs are present throughout the area that the ban applies to, these are opened between 7.00 a.m & 9.00 a.m on home match days, advising motorists of the restrictions and when they are in force.  In addition to this the relevant road markings to indicate a loading ban are present throughout the area (a single yellow line and kerb markings).

It was noted that there is one disabled parking bay marked in Alverstone Road, which is located outside of No.84.  This was a courtesy bay for a resident who has now moved from the area.  The bay will be removed as it is no longer required however, it is noted that the road markings for the loading ban are present through the bay and that a sign advising of the restrictions is present next to the bay. 

As the Police are responsible for enforcing the restriction on parking during match days and not Portsmouth City Council, I would suggest that you contact them should you wish to make a complaint about your vehicle being removed as we are not able to take any action. Hampshire Police can be contacted on 0845 0454545.

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.