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Archives 2007 (Disabled Forum)
Disabled Comment 16
Reviewing Disabled Parking Bays
18/07/2008
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
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.
Disabled Comment 15
Disabled Blue Badges
27/04/2008
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
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.
Disabled Comment 14
Enforceable Disabled Parking Bays
11/04/2008
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
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.
Disabled Comment 13
Enforceable Disabled Parking Bays
22/03/2008
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
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.
Disabled Comment 12
Disabled Parking Bays
13/03/2008
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
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.
Disabled Comment 11
Disabled Parking Bays
24/01/2008
I have a painted disabled bay outside my house, I also have a set of blue badges. i would like to know if it is illegal for someone else,without my permission to park in my disabled bay? I have a neighbour who thinks they are allowed to use it for their convenience. What can I do and how do I get them to stop?
TC - Portsmouth
With regards to the disabled parking bay outside of your property, please be advised that this bay is still a courtesy bay and therefore both the council and the police are unable to penalise any non disabled motorist parked within it.
As you may be aware, we are currently in the process of upgrading the city's 1,500 courtesy disabled parking bays to enforceable bays. This is being completed as a two year rolling programme which commenced in May 2007. I can advise you that the Charles Dickens ward, within which the bay above is situated is likely to be upgraded approximately between winter 2008 and spring 2009. Bay holders will be notified in writing closer to the time that work is due to commence on the bays in their area.
Please be advised that once upgraded, disabled parking bays may be used by any Blue Badge holder and will not be for the sole use of the bay holder. It is not possible to allocate parts of the public highway to individual people, although we are able to restrict its use to certain sectors, for example disabled drivers or residents. Once a bay is enforceable, the council's Parking Attendants will be able to issue a Penalty Charge Notice to any vehicle parked within it without displaying a valid Blue Badge. Bay holders will be given details of how to report such vehicles closer to the date when their bays are to be upgraded.
Disabled Comment 10
Blue Badge Holders Parking On Double Yellow Lines
21/12/2007
Something that has always baffled me is the fact that disabled people with blue badges are allowed to park on double yellow lines. I was under the impression that yellow lines are there for safety for example on a corner where it would be dangerous to park.
Disabled or not yellow lines are there for a reason, safety. Why are disabled people exempt from this rule when the intention is safety, not convenience?
HJ - North End, Portsmouth
Disabled people with blue badges are entitled to park on double yellow lines for up to three hours at a time providing that the blue badge is displayed correctly. Double yellow lines in Portsmouth are in place to aid safety and traffic flow.
Portsmouth City Council cannot comment on why blue badge holders are permitted to park on double yellow lines, this is a matter for the Department for Transport who can be contacted through www.dft.gov.uk
Disabled Comment 9
Shadwell Road Parking
13/11/2007
There is a limited number of garages or homes with parking areas in driveways at the front of their homes in Shadwell, Ophir and Oriel Roads. As Shadwell Road is one way is it not possible to explore how more homes can use their frontage for parking yet still preserve the necessary pavement width?
Also, the number of disabled bays in these streets appears excessive especially as the residents of properties with these bays outside have changed in recent months and it is a daily occurrence to find non-blue badge cars parked in them (this must be frustrating to genuine disabled residents). What can be done on both cases.
AJ - Hilsea, Portsmouth
The decision to create off-street parking is entirely down to each individual resident dependant on whether there is the required space to do so. This option can be very expensive, particularly having the dropped kerb put in and may not be financially viable for many people. There are also drainage and utility issues to consider as well.
The Parking Service is continuously working to ensure that disabled bays are updated and any that are no longer in use by the applicant are removed. We have removed over 3,000 disabled parking bays throughout the City since the Parking Service took over the responsibility of them in 2005.
We are in the process of upgrading all residential disabled parking bays so that only Blue Badge holders may park within them. Any motorist who parks within an enforceable bay without displaying a valid blue badge will be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice. An enforceable disabled parking bay can be identified by a sign displayed next to the bay stating 'Parking for disabled badge holders only'.
Disabled Comment 8
Faded Disabled Parking Bays
19/10/2007
There are a number of faded disabled parking bays in and around Napier Road and Duncan Road in Southsea.
I suspect these are old bays where the users are no longer resident.
I avoid parking in these faded bays 'just in case' they are still valid but often these faded ones are the only spaces available.
Does the council have a policy to remove obsolete bays?
Is there a list of approved bays that the public can view?
BB - St Jude, Portsmouth
The council policy is to remove obsolete disabled parking bays once we have been advised that they are no longer required. However due to the poor quality of some road surfaces in the city we are not always able to fully remove the markings as the high powered lance used to remove the paint can cause damage to the road surface. If there are very little of the original markings left, it is more prudent to allow them to fade naturally as is the case for some obsolete bays in the city.
We do not have a list of approved bays for the public to view as our records are constantly being updated, however members of the public are free to contact us to confirm whether a bay is valid or not. Our records have been checked and we can confirm that there are no valid bays in Duncan Road and only one valid bay in Napier Road. We have made a note of the obsolete bays in these roads from our records and will visit both roads to assess the condition of the markings to determine whether further removal of the markings is viable.
Disabled Comment 7
Disabled Parking Bay
02/10/2007
I don't understand how people can get parking bays outside their house when they can walk a fair distance and can carry bags of shopping and cement and does not use a stick, can run up steps outside their house, the partner uses the car to go to work and he uses the bus or walks. How can he get a parking bay?
DB - Paulsgrove, Portsmouth
When processing applications for both Blue Badges and disabled parking bays we rely on information provided by either the applicant's GP or the Disability Living Allowance section at the Department for Work and Pensions. As we are not medically trained we are unable to contest any information given to us by a person in the medical profession. Please be aware though that not all disabled persons continuously suffer with their disability; they may look well one day but the next they may be affected so badly that they cannot walk at all.
There are no means for contesting the eligibility of a disabled parking bay, however as part of an ongoing process Portsmouth City Council sends out letters of confirmation to bay holders every 1-3 years asking them to re-affirm their information, allowing records to be kept up to date and to assess whether the bays are still required.
Disabled Comment 6
Disabled Parking
12/09/2007
Too many disabled parking spaces are issued in my view particularly on the crowded island we live in. I've lost count of the number now in this road - St Pirans Avenue.
I feel the council should be tightening up their rules governing the issuing of disabled badges and be more stringent in reviewing applications.
What's the difference between a mother with young children unloading shopping from a car parked a good distance from their home address and some disabled people who have a badge for parking outside their own home, yet appear able to walk a fair distance to the local shops? Parking is without doubt an emotive subject, but at least fairness should be applied as is particularly possible with the disabled arrangements.
There are of course genuine cases, but I feel abuse is taking place which should be addressed by tightening your controls.
ATS - Baffins, Portsmouth
The criteria for obtaining a blue badge is set by the Department for Transport and not by each individual local authority. Local authorities are unable to make any changes with regards to this criteria. When processing applications for both blue badges and disabled parking bays we rely on information provided by either the applicants GP or the Disability Living Allowance section at the Department for Work and Pensions. As we are not medically trained we are unable to contest any information given to us by a person in the medical profession. Please be aware though that not all disabled persons continuously suffer with their disability; they may look well one day but the next they may be affected so badly that they cannot walk at all.
The criteria set for disabled parking bay applications differs slightly from that of the blue badge scheme although we are still dependant on information provided by the medical profession and DWP. Not all blue badge holders can qualify for a parking bay. There are approximately 4,000 to 5,000 blue badge holders in Portsmouth and only 1,500 approximately have been issued with disabled parking bays. We are continuously working to ensure that disabled bays are updated and any that are no longer in use by the applicant are removed. We have removed over 3,000 disabled parking bays since the Parking Service took over responsibility of them in 2005.
There are no means for contesting the eligibility of a disabled parking bay however as part of an ongoing process Portsmouth City Council sends out letters of confirmation to bay holders asking them to reaffirm their information, allowing records to be kept up to date and to assess whether the bays are still required.
Disabled Comment 5
Misuse of Disabled Parking Bays
03/09/2007
Is it acceptable for a household with two cars to use the disabled bay as a form of private car park by rotating the cars parked within it? For instance moving the car in bay to the space vacated by the other car. As these bays are courtesy bays would I be penalised if I park in the space which at times is the only space available for me to park in my street?
JO - Portsmouth
Disabled bay holders should not park outside of their allocated parking bay in order to reserve a parking space for another vehicle. Any report of a bay holder doing so will be investigated and if necessary the bay holder will be contacted and advised to use the bay correctly to avoid the risk of it being removed.
Motorists who park in a courtesy disabled parking bay, would not receive any penalty from either the Police or Portsmouth City Council, however, we do not condone non-disabled motorists parking in these bays as they have been installed to assist the disabled residents who have applied for them.
The Parking Service is in the process of upgrading all residential parking bays so that only Blue Badge holders may park within them. Any motorist who parks within an enforceable disabled parking bay without displaying a valid blue badge will be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice. An enforceable disabled parking bay can be identified by a sign displayed next to the bay stating 'Parking for disabled badge holders only'.
To report a misuse of a disabled parking bay please contact the Parking Service on 023 9268 8310 or email parking@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
Disabled Comment 4
Blue Badge Rules
17/07/2007
The blue badge gives unlimited parking in council car parks; does this also apply in residents parking scheme areas?
GH - Portsmouth
Disabled badge holders are exempt from the parking restrictions within all residents parking schemes operated by Portsmouth City Council and do not need to display a residents parking permit or visitors scratchcard as the long as the blue badge is displayed correctly in the vehicle.
Disabled Comment 3
Disabled Parking Provision - Southsea
30/06/2007
With very limited parking around Southsea precinct, the loss of the two spaces outside John Lewis and the constant closure of the four spaces outside Waitrose is causing extreme distress and inconvenience to those with limited mobility. Couldn't some temporary parking be provided until this work is finished? I am advised this work will be going on for months.
LC - Portsmouth
It is regrettable that the works being carried out to improve the Palmerston Road area are having an impact on the disabled parking provision. The provision of temporary disabled parking spaces is a good idea, unfortunately due to the nature of the area it is not easy to supply. Disabled parking spaces need to be as close as possible to the amenities they are designed for and in the case of Palmerston Road precinct no spaces could be made available without having a severe impact on the traffic flow or causing problems for traders in the area receiving goods.
We are confident that once the works are complete the shopping area will be better for everybody. Blue badge holders are entitled to park on double yellow lines for up to 3 hours providing that there is no loading ban in place, the vehicle is not causing an obstruction and the blue badge is displayed correctly in the vehicle.
Disabled Comment 2
Enforceable Disabled Bays
24/06/2007
Why is it ok for disabled motortists to have yellow parking bays placed outside of their homes when this denies other residents the opportunity to use that part of the road?
All disabled parking bays within Portsmouth have always been courtesy markings, put in place to remove distress caused to disabled persons who have to walk long distances. As these bays are courtesy markings any vehicle can park in them without penalty from either the City Council or the Police.
It was previously decided not to cover disabled parking bays with a Traffic Regulation Order to make them enforceable and relied on members of the public being community minded enough not to park in them. However the level of abuse of these bays has greatly increased and as a result many disabled people have been unable to use the bays provided outside of their homes, which in turn causes distress and inconvenience.
Due to the increase in abuse the decision was made by the City Council to adopt the national scheme and make these bays enforceable. Work has currently started throughout the City and will be completed over a two year rolling programme.
Please note that the disabled parking bays will remain as they are now and will not be changed to any other colour. The only difference will be the presence of a plate stating 'Parking for disabled badge holders only'.
Disabled Comment 1
Blue Badge Parking
30/05/2007
Why is it ok for disabled drivers to park for up to three hours on double yellow lines?
The Department of Transport approved concessions for Blue Badge Holders allows for parking on single and double yellow lines for up to three hours, except where there is a ban on loading/unloading. However, vehicles should park sensibly and where they are not causing an obstruction. The holder of a Blue Badge will often require parking close by to their destination due to mobility problems, and this may have a double yellow line restriction, which is why the Department of Transport has approved this concession.
