Drivers using Plymouth disabled bays
A DISABLED woman has criticised motorists who park in a marked bay reserved for Blue Badge drivers.
Sue Groves, who was born with a disability and has to walk with the aid of a stick, says as a result she can't find a parking place near her work, in Beaumont Road.
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WRONG: Sue Groves in the parking space misused by drivers
She's received two parking tickets after having had to leave her car on yellow lines.
Ms Groves said able-bodied drivers who were blocking the bay were also preventing other disabled motorists using it too – and when she had approached some about moving their car she had received nothing but verbal abuse in return.
"The bay is for anybody who has a Blue Badge and needs it; it's not just for me," said Ms Groves, aged 63, "but people who go to work in town leave their cars there."
Plymouth City Council today warned that anyone using a disabled bay when they were not entitled to would be liable to receive a fine.
"We would ask the public not to park in disabled parking spaces if they do not hold a valid Blue Badge," a council spokeswoman said.
"It's an issue that we take very seriously and we issue fixed- penalty notices, where possible, to anyone caught parking illegally in a disabled space."
Disabled rights campaigner Bruce Abbott , a member of Plymouth Disability Rights Network, urged the council to actively monitor disabled parking spaces and to step up its penalising of those who used them without permission, including those who used Blue Badges when they were not entitled to.
"It's a major problem," he said. "The council has a duty to ensure Blue Badges are being used by the right person."
He said anyone else who had a problem over access to a disabled bay should contact the city council, the police, or the Devon Law Centre, if they thought a persistent user might be abusing the bay and thereby contravening the Disability Discrimination Act.
The bay near Ms Groves' work is close to where Beaumont Road joins Ebrington Street, and is surrounded by a broken white line and the word 'disabled' written on the asphalt.
However, this has been partially worn away and Ms Groves said this could have confused motorists.
A council spokeswoman said: "The bay in question is due to be repainted shortly to make it absolutely clear to anyone parking in the area that it is indeed a disabled space."
50 Comments
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by Sorted, Plymouth
Thursday, January 29 2009, 6:58PM
“Disabled or not disabled.....Its against the law to park on yellow lines so you deserve a parking ticket....
If you need special parking then ask your employers to provide a space for you...why not Asda has done it for their disabled employee.
Go on ask them and if they turn you down contact the Herald for sympthy.”
by Sorted, Plymouth
Thursday, January 29 2009, 5:15PM
“I agree with you JADE. Done the same my self.......TOO many badges given out ......... :)”
by jade, plymouth
Wednesday, January 28 2009, 10:12PM
“i also dont think it is fair that blue badge holders or oap's park in mother and baby spaces as the mum of two young children i have parked in a disabled space if and only if i have seen some old people or people with disabled badges parking in mum and baby spaces other than that i would rather park at the far end of the car park in 2 space to allow plenty of room to get my children in and out, also supermarkets don't care about disabled people any more than they do mums because whenever ihave parked in a disabled space i have always informed them of this, i know its a diffrent subject as you can't get a ticket but i think far too many people are accepted for them when they are not needed it's seems you only need a bruise on your leg to be eligible.”
by Hana, Plymouth
Wednesday, January 28 2009, 9:08PM
“So many assumptions have been made in this discussion! We are all individuals - able-bodied or disabled ... please do not put every Badge Holder into one little box! We all have varied needs and abilities, yet so many people seem to be certain they are capable of 'on-the-spot' diagnosis of disabilities!”
by plym, plymouth
Wednesday, January 28 2009, 8:34PM
“yea and i get fed up with them when they park in bus stops which is againts the law as well and when they double park on yellow lines so bo one can get through”
by James, Plymouth
Wednesday, January 28 2009, 8:33PM
“Parking,Plymouth. These cars are not free cars, they are leased as many businesses lease cars. Recipients of the disability allowance choose to use their allowance to lease a car. Tax payers do not pay for these cars. Motability that runs this scheme is a registered charity. I'm not a BB holder but I think you should know what you're talking about before making stupid remarks and misleading other readers on this site.”
by Parking, Plymouth
Wednesday, January 28 2009, 7:20PM
“I have nothing againts the disabled drivers how ever if they can afford to put petrol in a car that the taxpayer is paying for, then they can afford to pay for parking. Its about time they started dishing out fines and even towing away the people who think they have an automatic right to park anywere they please. Oh lets not forget the free road tax, insurance and servicing for these cars. Bring back the little blue cars that will soon sort out who is genuine or not.”
by d, saltash
Wednesday, January 28 2009, 7:06PM
“Witnessed this today,-Very similar story to others on here. = Chav comes screaming round the corner in his lego car, music on full blast. jumps out ,runs up the road, stops, runs back to car, Has he forgotten his baseball cap? after much searching of the car out comes the blue Badge!!
The thing the annoys me about the blue badge holders, is they park where ever they like, regardless of the obstruction or hazard they are causing to other road or pavement users. Even when a few meters would put them in a much safer postion
This happens outside my work place everyday, large car park with empty disabled bays, you guessed it, they park in the narrow access road bringing the whole area to standstill.
The driver will often remain in the car. (30 mins plus) why can 't they drop they pasenger off and then wait/ park in the car park?
Don't get me wrong, I understand there are very genuine cases out there, but there seems to be so much abuse of the system and complete lack of common sense on the part of some blue badge holders.
I also live in a street where there any many private disabled spaces marked, making it impossible for other residents to park. One neighbour is in a wheelchair, which is fair enough, but there are others who have these bays that have no problem walking to the local shops/taking their dogs out etc”
by J, Plymouth
Wednesday, January 28 2009, 6:39PM
“The picture of the bay in question has only just appeared on my browser and I can now see why drivers without a blue badge are parking there. It's very difficult to see that it is a disabled bay. More error than abuse of the space I feel.”
by J, Plymouth
Wednesday, January 28 2009, 6:33PM
“I don't have a problem with people having blue badges but like so many other people, it does infuriate me when they park in the parent and child bays.
I have asked in both Tesco and Asda what the policy is on this and the answer is the same. If they have a blue badge they can park where they want. I asked if it was ok then, for parents with children to park in the disabled bay, the answer, of course, "No". Disabled bays have to be provided by law, parent and child ones are just a courtesy.
Ok, I understand that, but if blue badge holders can park where they like, why not make less disabled bays and more parent and child ones? That way everyone who needs a wider bay has a better chance of parking in a suitable space.
I also like the idea of putting the parent bays further away from entrances so the temptation isn't so great for disabled drivers to use them. I for one do not have a problem with walking to the store, I would just like a wider space for ease of access.
I, for one, would never dream of parking in a parent space when my children are not in the car, let alone park in a disabled space. I just wish that some blue badge holders would extend us parents the same courtesy.”