More blue badge blues

30/01/2008

Following on from the debate in the paper and in MT enewsletter on parking in disabled spaces, I live in Enfield to the north of London where illegal and inconsiderate parking in disabled bays, both at commercial and domestic properties, is the norm. I have spoken to staff at a number of businesses but the general opinion seems to be that providing the bays is the limit of their responsibilities.

Supermarkets, DIY stores, pub restaurants and large retailers appear to be more concerned at losing a large number of 'able' customers than a few that are disabled. The disabled driver knows there is little point in going to a competitor's store because the attitude will be the same there.

I successfully applied to have a disabled parking bay outside my house, but  if I am out of the bay after about 5pm it can be a couple of days before I get back in. Although some of those parking in the bay do have a Blue Badge many are clearly using one that isn't theirs (they even run down the road after parking) and one woman admitted ' her' badge is passed around.

The police say that it is no longer their responsibility and it is up to the local council to deal with it. The parking authorities at the council, whilst expressing sympathy, say there is nothing they can do as it is a public highway.

Clearly the people who park outside my house are fully aware they can do so with impunity.

B. White, Edmonton