Disabled parking bays

Robert Hacon Williams
Member - 67 posts

Michelle,

You should do an assessment of the situation. However 5/60 is a very high ratio

You could allocate a specific disabled access bay to a new disabled employee or to a newly disabled employee when the need arrises. In fact this would be a good practice.

Visitors are a different problem.

If visitors are always be appointment then you can ask if they have any access needs and then reserve an appropriate bay and tell them where it is. If vsitors are free to come and go I would suggest two appropriate bays should be reserved.

Remember disabled access bays are larger than normal bays, normally twice the size to allow either side egress.

The contractors should be working to your needs and not just deciding for you, however, has another person specified the number of bays in their contract?

Kelvin Reynolds - British Parking Association
Online advisor - 4 posts

It should be remembered that there is no standard size of parking bays, but recommendations and best practice advice notes do exist. Typical ?normal? bays are 2.4m x 4.8 m and typical ?special needs? bays are 3.6m x 4.8m (including a 1.2m transfer zone').

The proportion of 'special needs' spaces to be provided at any given development is normally subject to LOCAL planning guidance and is often the subject of 'Conditions' on a Planning Consent. Failure to comply would be a breach of a Planning Condition. The Use of the provided 'special needs' spaces is subject only to management practices of the occupier (unless that too is Conditioned by the Planning Authority). It would be unwise and certainly not good practice to provide 'Special Needs' spaces and then allow anyone to use them to the possible detriment of those who really need them.

The colouring of parking bays in a 'private' car parking area is not specifically governed but there are good reasons to follow convention; ease of understanding and recognition being the most obvious.

The DfT produces a document call free on their website at http://www.dft.gov.uk, and this sets out recommendations for amongst other things parking spaces for people with mobility impairments.

UK Disabled Persons Badges (which used to be known as Orange Badges) are now standardised throughout the EU and are following the colour scheme of Blue.

Coding the bays Blue does help to reinforce the intended use of the bay but is not required by law as far as I know. The key point is that the bays are of a standard and location that enable them to be used effectively by the people they are intended for and that that use is clearly advertised and promoted to other car park users.

Anonymous

Can Kelvin clarify the point regarding visitors - if they are invited only, then surely a management regime would be suffiicient if there are no specific planning restrictions on bay provision. We have a site where we were recommended to install three bays in a car park which is already fully occupied. No employees require the spaces, none of the tenants invite the general public to the site. We have a concierge who can book a visitor parking space when needed. In my view this must be sufficient given the specific needs of the site. Do you agree?

Anonymous

You could follow the recommendations in BS8300 which says one space for every disabled employee and a certain percentage of the total spaces (depending on the building use) for visiting disabled motorists - 2% for workplaces, 6% for shopping/leisure

Anonymous

Michelle,

If you have no disabled employees and you are not providing a 'service' to members of the public, you cannot be considered to be discriminating against disabled people.

I can't see any problem with using the bays, why wouldn't you use them?

Can your visitor's just drive in off the street or are they invited guests? That would be the deciding factor for me.

Anonymous

Just complained to the manager of a brand new state of the art health centre in west bromwich.

There are 4 parking bays for blue badge holders. 160 spaces overall in the car park. It just seemed a very small proportion considering it is a health centre with several doctor's surgeries. Was then told it was nothing to do with the centre but the responsibility of the Landlord. Surely responsibility must lie with the centre as there is supposed to be laws in this country over disabled access.

Myriam Willcocks
Member - 1 post

I belong to a gym which has 3 disabled parking spaces. My sister who is a blue badge holder came as a visitor one day to the gym. All 3 spaces were filled with non-blue badge holders. Consequently she was unable to park in a disabled parking space. Since then whenever I park at the gym and I see any cars parked without a blue badge visible, I report this to reception. They put a sticker at the rear window telling the driver that he is a non-blue badge holder. No further action is taken. Should the gym be taking a more proactive approach on this? Can they get away with this conservative don't care attitude please? I feel that blue badge holders are not taken seriously enough. Your reply will be appreciated.
PS: My sister will never return as a visitor!

Jane Simpson
Member - 18 posts

Kelvin stated that 'that there is no standard size of parking bays, but recommendations and best practice advice notes do exist. Typical ?normal? bays are 2.4m x 4.8 m and typical ?special needs? bays are 3.6m x 4.8m (including a 1.2m transfer zone').'

Since April last year Part M has outlined the minimum standard expected from a bay, it is 2.4 x 4.8 with 1200mm transfer strips to boths sides and rear. I would also avoid the use of 'special needs'. In some buildings larger bays would be preferable to acccommodate the increasing number of people using minibuses with built in platfrms.

Part M only requires 1 bay as a minimum but also expects inclusion levels to be consummate with intended users. This will depend upon the function, etc of the premises. I normally work on 5% (min 2) or 6% (min 3) for sports buildings, see Sport England Guidance, or to local planning requirements.

The service provider is responsible for managing parking for people visiting the gym/doctors. This may be dependent upon their lease arrangements (these might need to chnage!!) The change to the DDA this year will mean from 2006 doctors surgeries should be actively promoting equality.

Lack of access to parking is one issue very high on the agenda of disabled people. You only have to look at the Disability Now website forums to see this.

But also remember not all disabled people have a blue badge.

regards Jane

Anonymous

Can anyone tell me if an employer can insist on an employee showing a blue badge when using a designated disbaled parking space?

Jane Simpson
Member - 18 posts

There is much debate about blue badges to get a blue badge you have to meet specific criteria in relation to ability to negotiate distances both physical and cognitive. There has been a recent consultation on this issue so the requrements to obtain a blue badge may change.

However the legislation requires equality of treatment not having a blue badge does not mean you do not need some consideration.

My husband needs room to open the door and be able to sit in the drivers seat. He cannot rest on his left hand due to nerve damage but he doesn't qualify for a blue badge. If a disabled employee needs a parking space because of their disability it should be considered on merit. They might not need a full accessible bay 1200 all sides and rear for example or any transfer space but might need to park close to the building because they have an ambulant disability. This is much easier to define in employment terms, by negotiation, but unclear in service terms. My husband has used accessible bays and been challenged but if he parked in a standard bay and a car parks too close he can't get back into the car without extreme pain (lasts for days sometimes). I have often had to drive the car out of the space so he can get in.

In terms of an employee they need equality and if accessing work is more problematic (time consuming)for them to park say in the staff car park which is a good 500m walk you might need to allow them time to check into work later than everyone else. Having a parking bay which is close allowing them to access work more easily might be the best for all concerned. Negotiation is the answer.

Regards Jane

Nige Rowe
Member - 2 posts

As a local government organisation which lets space within a large multi story office off a private sector landlord is it the employers responsibility under the DDA to pay for parking space for a disabled employee or with the landlord to provide disabled parking space for service users under the DDA through services and goods?

any advice would be appreciated.

Jane Simpson
Member - 18 posts

You are required to make reasonable adjustments which might include allowing sufficient time to access work. Paying for a parking space, or at least the extra close parking might incur might be a reasonable measure and would be a good gesture. I would talk to 'Access to Work' who might be able to assist you further - they will be more familiar with this scenerio and might fund certain elements such as taxis fares, etc, dependent upon their assessment.

The landlord is unlikely to be required to provide a parking space to vsiit the car park which is the service he provides. But what he cannot do is charge more for the space which he lets to yourselves, despite the incrased size, therefore less income.

Regards Jane

Stephen Orr
Member - 3 posts

I would appreciate advice on the following points.

1. If someone is registered disabled does it automatically entitle them to a car parking space? Or are their needs assessed on a merit basis?

2. Would a member of staff have to produce evidence that they were disabled before a car park space is allocated?

Many thanks.

Jane Simpson
Member - 18 posts

There is not really a register anymore and the DDA does not define peoples rights in that way. Some people may be in receipt of disability living allowance, but there are two levels. Many do not receive this, may not have applied for it, but they are still covered under the DDA as they have a disability which materially affects their day to day life.

What the DDA requires is that reasonable adjustments are made in relation to someones employment and that they have equality. Much is by negotiation but should be done so with a level of understanding. This needs to take into account the job they perform, the location of the work place, the nature of their disability,etc, etc.

A person does not have to tell you they have a disability but if they do so you must assess their requirements. Having a blue badge would be a good indication, but not all disabled people who require an accessible space have them.

If you are talking about a known individual then you need to assess and provide what is appropriate, my advice is seek independent advice as to what is suitable that can be agreed by all parties.

If this is a what if, develop a policy and procedure to assist in the process, have answers or ways forward, identify possible accessible parking, if needed, perhaps your local taxi firm would agree a rate for day to day assistance from a local train station. There are many ways, flexibility is the key and do bear in mind that access to work will assist financially.

As all not a black and white answer.

Regards Jane

Peter Halbert
Member - 2 posts

Disabled parking bays are only legally restricted to disabled people if they have a TRO (Traffic Regulation Order)
on them, otherwise they are only advisary.

John Clegg
Member - 2 posts

We are about to line mark our hospital car park. Can you please advise the style,colour and dimensions of a disabled car park space?

Graham Mason
Member - 2 posts

is there a legal requirement on car parks, having a percentage of disabled bays to regular bays, if so what is the percentage, rules, and regulations coving this, My work place has a city owned car park next to it, with ZERO disabled parking bays. i know i am allowed to park in a regular parking bay for 3 hours, but thats rather pointless when im working for 8 hours and i can be called away to another part of the site at any time, meaning i am oftern not able to get back to my car in time to move/change the badge time.

can anyone clarify this, if so where can i find the legal documentation if i need to provide it to anyone

Jane Simpson
Member - 18 posts

I would check with your L.A about their own standards with regard to the Equality duty, they should have a disability scheme exlaining their actions and future actions. The link below might be useful.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/DG_4001061

In terms of numbers the best source of guidance is BS8300 which suggested 6% for shopping areas, 5% generally and where solely for employment 1% plus a space for each member of staff.

Can your employers help could they arrange for a reduced rate in a local car parking space the closest to your work(which they might fund!) to enable you to effctively access work.

In terms of the previous question the spaces should be (England) 2.4 x 4.8 with a 1200 strip to both sides and rear. In addition it is better to have a dropped kerb and tactile strip to the front of the space so that the person can access a safe route, minimum 1500mm wide.

Hope this helps.

Jane

Andy Wright
Member - 1 post

I work at a college and am disabled with a blue badge. whilst the college has a number of disabled bays often if I arrive at work late they are used. I woul dlike them to provide more bays. Is there a requirement for them to provide more and what is the law concerning provision of disabled bays ie is there a ratio of pays per staff number / student number etc.

regards
A

David Lynch
Member - 2 posts

I work at a hospital who charge carparking fees for employees. They claim they charge both able & disabled people because its equal. My question is, how can it be equal when an able bodied person has a choice whether or not to park inside or outside the hospital...where as a disabled person does not have that choice and has to pay to get into his/her place of work.

Can anyone tell me if they think that this is equal. I am disabled and I dont have a choice.

Keith Waters
Member - 14 posts

David, I guess this is tricky; the opposite argument is that if they don't charge non-ambulant users that would mean ambulant users are discriminated. Is it easy for others to park nearby more cheaply, if so that might give a little force to your argument?

David Lynch
Member - 2 posts

Keith, It is tricky, I agree thats why I needed some help. The hospital has a barrier which all employees need to swipe to get access. My argument is, an able person has the choice of parking in or out of the hospital grounds, whereas I have no choice but to pay the parking fees....so why is this deemed equal?

sheena farenden
Member - 59 posts

As a Blue Badge holder I am dispairing of this discussion.

The point is I cannot walk far and I am in constant pain (which is why I have a badge) parking should be provided.

It clearly states that positive discrimination is acceptable if a reasonable adjustment.

Do your Occupational Health Advisors/Risk Assessors not advise on this if not call in Access to Work

Anyway the whole car park could be noted as disabled parking and any useful manager would sort out what to do with under used spaces - I am off so my space is given to someone else in my absence.

I visit another office and I am given a space at the expense of an able bodied member of staff who can walk from the street parking quarter of a mile away.

Also if you do take on or any of your current staff become disabled what will you do pay for their cabs to work( another reasonable adjustment)

Nicola Williams
Member - 2 posts

From what I understand, this forum is for managers and employers to exchange ideas and information.

If you are a blue badge holder and want advice or to complain, why don't you contact one of the organisations that are set up for this sort of thing?

www.dft.gov.uk - can also be used by managers and employers
0161 367 0009 (blue badge helpline)

Catherine Corr
Member - 1 post

I work in an office space which is within the grounds of a Social Work Department. The parking has 5 able bodied spaces with another 7 disabled spaces for visitors. As you can imagine it is virtually impossible to get a parking space and most of the day the disabled spaces are empty. If any of our staff (3) park within the disabled bays we are asked to move. Our small organisation has been in this location for 21 years and these bays have just been here for the past 3 years. As we were not asked for any opinion on the parking arrangements are we within our rights to park in the (always) empty spaces.
Cathy Corr

sheena farenden
Member - 59 posts

Surprisingly Nicola and others with your point of view disabled people do have the abilities to become successful managers and employers.

I should not be surprised at your outright discriminatory point of view that is why DDA is necessary.

All members should remember that just because you and yours are fit and healthy now it does not mean that disability could not be the future.

I do not need advice or need to complain I do however believe that when someone asks for advice they should have all aspects of the law and implications of not acting responsibly pointed out to them.

I would have hoped that all of us would have been able to look at the bigger picture. Diversity and Equality is a serious issue and using peoples skills and abilities can bring great rewards.

I am sorry if you feel managers/employers should not think of others and the implications your words and actions have on them. I do feel however that to survive in today's world maybe you should reflect on your behaviour .

Catherine - it maybe that you do not have a right to park in these spaces anyway which is maybe why you were not asked for your point of view. Shared buildings normally have an allocated number of spaces and therefore as only a small office your lease may not give access to parking.

Obviously the type of clients that Social Services see could often be disabled. You stated these spaces were for visitors and there you have your answer.

Nicola Williams
Member - 2 posts

You assume that I am not a disabled person and you also assume that I am a manager. Whether I am a blue badge holder or a manager is completely besides the point but I do feel that your assumption goes against everything you have just said. I'm afraid your tirade was for nothing as I am not a manager but a blue badge holder doing research for the FM department within my company - but I hope it made you feel better anyway despite the way off-the-mark comments about "me and my own".

I put the contact details on there for people who genuinely wanted advice and answers from organisations that are set up specifically for this type of thing.

ruth malkin
Member - 4 posts

This is clearly a very emotive subject!
I work for a local disabled people's group. We are very concerned about the abuse of blue badge parking spaces by non-blue badge holders. I am a disabled person but I don't require a blue badge. It is just as immoral for me to park in a reserved parking space for blue badge holders as it is for a non-disabled person. I also have a small child. Again, that is simply no excuse for parking in a blue badge space - I can get out of my car with my child whether or not the space is bigger. It is just more difficult to do so. For disabled people who rely on blue badge parking spaces, there is no alternative. That is simply not the case for anyone else (except perhaps the few disabled people who don't qualify for blue badges mentioned in the thread) Everyone else has the choice of either parking elsewhere and walking to the venue, or getting public transport to the venue, or cycling. It may be that it doesn't feel like you have that choice but you do. It may not be a pleasant choice, and may involve walking in the rain or standing at bus stops or starting out half an hour earlier but the choice is yours to be taken. However a blue badge holder frequently does not have that choice. If they can't park in that space at that moment they have no choice but to turn round and go home. If you feel your building does not have enough parking spaces for non-disabled people, then address that issue - dont' bang on about blue badge spaces. One day it could be you rendered virtually housebound by the selfish and immoral behaviour of your disablist peers.

sheena farenden
Member - 59 posts

Nicola

I responded to your comment that you thought the site was only for managers or employers therefore you assumed I was not and that I needed advice or to complain.

Therefore I hope you will agree to a truce it is easy to misunderstand each other when we are not talking face to face.

I also believe however that those that try to find out the correct way to do things should be applauded and hope our slight disagreement will not put anyone off.

Graham Mason
Member - 2 posts

/begins celebrating the truce

i was not far off beating u two with my walking stick :P
glad the miss understanding has been corrected.

to be honest this website is extremely useful to everyone managerial or not.
jane simpson and a few others on here do appear to be the oracles of all disabled knowledge.

i have only recently become disabled (well 4 years ago RTA - long story)
so this website is Extremely useful for me, you soon see a completely different world from a wheelchair which you will never experience otherwise.

recently at my workplace we had one of our staff tour our site in a wheelchair to see what obstacles he found, which soon opened his eyes to day to day life on wheels.

frances singh
Member - 2 posts

I work in a NHS Health Centre, where there are about 35 parking spaces for staff and 4 disabled bays. I am disabled and hold a blue badge and use the disabled spaces. Quite often when I come to work, there are no disabled spaces left because delivery vans/maintenance vans are parked in the disabled spaces, there are no other regular space either. I asked the Building Manager to request that the vans do not park in the disabled spaces, but she said that they have a right to park there, and that I am not guaranteed disabled parking and that I should go outside and find myself a space. This does not seem fair as there are no spaces near enough and I cannot walk far without pain. Is the Building Manager correct?

sheena farenden
Member - 59 posts

I would talk to your Manager & HR as I totally disagree that you are not entitled to use a disabled marked bay in this instance.

Good Luck

Carole Simmons
Member - 52 posts

Isnt this all about communication? I have a Blue Badge and frequently arrived at my company only to find all bays occupied by other users. I complained to my manager as all employees with BB's had to show a copy of them and were registered with the carpark company. This should have meant that we all should have got a space. Unfortunately due to changes in peoples shift patterns and other issues this was not always the case. I was told that the bays were being moved to another area where more would be made available. When the situation did not improve and I was repeatedly being denied a space as I was always later in than the others I told my manager that if it happened again and there were no spaces left and I was just not able to walk from an available alternative which by that time would be the far side of the car park, I would have no alternative but to drive home! I was very quickly found a space outside the main building.
If you dont open your mouth and explain that you are given a badge for a reason - usually because you have no other choice- you cannot expect anything to be done to change anything. Reasonable adjustments are there for a reason and if you cannot physically walk or gain access the same way as an able bodied person then you must speak up and say so.
So sorry if a non management person has posted on what has been pointed out is supposed to be a management and employers site but I thought you might like to hear from the "other" side for a change!

Kevin Brown
Member - 88 posts

Frances, providing parking spaces for disabled staff is a reasonable adjustment in anybody's book. It is less reasonable to offer commuter parking to other staff in preference to those disadvantaged by mobility problems. The use of these car park spaces by delivery vans and maintenance vans is, if anything, less justifiable. Their presence on site should by definition be temporary, (transitory even), and should never have precedence over long-term parking by disabled staff or visitors. I suspect you have a Building Manager who is uncomfortable with managing. Having been faced with similar issues in the past I would be very reluctant to take any stance that would leave me open to girievance procedures or an Employment Tribunal.

Jane Simpson
Member - 18 posts

For information people might want to comment on the current consultation.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/bluebadgereformstrategy/

Regards Jane

Wesley Edwards
Member - 5 posts

We are managing agents for a number of sites, one site, some 15 years old with a number of tenant companies, one of whom has employed a disabled person and wants a disabled parking space. This space will be provided, but if the provision is the employers responsibilty I will charge just this company, if it is the landlords responsibility then I will recover the cost through the service charge to all tenants - Could you advise ?

Carole Simmons
Member - 52 posts

My view would be that in the first place the landlord would or should have provided at least one or a few disabled bays in the carpark in any case for general use - visitors etc, perhaps if these are not overally used one of these could then be rented to the tenant company on behalf of the employee at the same cost as the other spaces the company already occupies, if indeed they have to pay for the spaces at all.

If there are none, which would be surprising, then it would be a case of what the individual tenant lease says about carpark usage and the costs they are responsible for in this scenireo, if any.

Wesley Edwards
Member - 5 posts

Thank You Carole, what should or should not have been done is not the issue - in older commercial premises, especially those originally designed for industrial use with non designated spaces, disabled bays are, at best rare, normally non-existant - however the original question remains, whose responsibility is it ?

James Fairchild
Member - 254 posts

Wesley, I'm no expert, but don't forget that there are two dimensions to the Disability Discrimination Act:

employer - has a duty to make reasonable adjustments

service providers - have a duty to make appropriate provision for disabled visitors.

Are we talking here one space, specifically marked up for Mr. Bloggs, or are we talking one space marked "disabled"?

I can't give you a specific answer, but I think if I were you I would try to recharge first, then if that doesn't work then accept that I must cover this cost myself.

Maybe someone else will be along to give you some more detailed guidance.

Carole Simmons
Member - 52 posts

As I said in my second paragraph it will depend on what is said in the lease of the tenat company when they signed it. If there is no clause specific to car parking at all and car parking is something that is just "thrown in" with the lease, then my thought would be that it is something that the landlord will have to pay for. By that I am assuming you are referring to the actual cost of marking up a bay etc?

If the landlord then decides to pass these costs back to all tenants or the one specific tenant ie the tenant with the disabled employee then that is up to him, but something you would have to check out first I suspect. These things are never straight forward if they are not written in black and white!

Jane Simpson
Member - 18 posts

The lease agreement is the main area here.

Although, the other issue is do you charge for standard car parking? If you do then it is likely that you should be able to charge for the accessible bay, but no more than you would for a standard.

Equality in use and service.

Regards Jane

steve howell
Member - 4 posts

Please can somebody tell me which Act or Road Traffic Regulation relates to the provision of parking bays outside the house of a person with disabilities. I can't seem to find it anywhere. The problem is that my local authority insist they cannot by law provide a bay anywhere else except outside the residence of a disabled person and I am trying to make a case for the bay to be provided outside the house where the disabled person's child lives. Steve

Carole Simmons
Member - 52 posts

Steve - The Blue Badge Scheme came into operation on 1 December 1971 under the Chronically Sick and Disabled Person' Act 1970. There have been numerous amendments to the Scheme since then but the current governing legislation is contained within:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/162259/259428/281009/281013/The_Disabled_Persons_(Badge1.pdf

I had to read your post twice to understand what you were saying but it would seem that under the legislation there would be no provision to have a bay were the disabled persons child lives unless they too were disabled. The whole point of the BB scheme is that the BB is for the disabled person not their relatives, so unless the disabled person can show that they are living at the address which just happens to be with their child, I cant see that you are ever going to succeed.

Carole Simmons
Member - 52 posts

I do beg your pardon Steve I thought that link had the whole Act, unfortunately it was just the amendments. Here is a link to the act where you can download it.
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersandcirculars/Selecteddiscontinuedseries/DH_4017592

Happy Reading!!

steve howell
Member - 4 posts

Dear Carole,
Thank you very much for your detailed website address. I have been there but I am afraid I cannot find any mention of parking bays for the disabled outside private houses. Any further suggestions?
Steve

Carole Simmons
Member - 52 posts

I think the question you must ask yourself Steve is - where does the Disabled person live? By that comment I mean legal address. From your previous post I am assuming the Disabled person does not live at the address where they would like to have a dedicated bay positioned outside.

From the little research I have done it would seem that dedicated bays are at the discretion of individual councils and although they are all run generally on the same basis they may differ slightly from county to county. One thing is for sure, you would have to prove that they lived at the address at which you needed the bay, so if the disabled person already has one where they live and is then requesting an additional bay where their child lives, I really don’t think you have any chance. If on the other hand they do not have one already, the only way I see of succeeding at their child’s home is by being able to prove that it is their main place of residence because no authority is going to change their criteria given how difficult these are to get anyway.

Sorry the website was not more helpful.

steve howell
Member - 4 posts

Dear Carole,
Thank you for your comments.
Given that all councils have VERY similar policies, I am led to think that at some time there could have been some kind of central suggestion that a bay outside a disabled person's house would be a good idea. I have spoken to the officer concerned w the implemetation of the policy here and he has no idea upon what it is based. All he knows is that it is agreed council policy which he has to enforce.
The disabled person concerned does not have a bay at the moment. He simply wants a bay outside his daughter's house.
Where do you get the idea that he must have it outside his own house or not at all. I know this is council policy, but upon WHAT? Is there defining legislation or regulation?
Steve

Carole Simmons
Member - 52 posts

Obviously disabled people cannot have dedicated bays setup outside every property that takes their fancy or the system would be in chaos! If you look at the criteria for most council’s they ask for proof of occupation and ownership of a vehicle amongst other things. On that basis if you are lucky enough to own or rent more than one property I assume you "could" apply for bays at both or all properties but if they were in the same Borough I wonder what reaction a second application would receive given their tight criteria. A quick glance through some websites and there is no mention of multiple applications. I assume they just don’t expect a disabled person to want/ need more than one. However your situation is different.

From the point of view of your disabled person, I assume his problem is always going to be not being able to show residency at his daughters address to stand any chance of getting a bay under the strict criteria at your local authority and that too is your dilemma – they are so set in stone that when something like this comes up they just wont deviate. Obviously given that these policies are so similar right across the country they must have been based on some central legislation, possibly when the BB scheme first was implemented, which is why I am surprised that there is no mention of it tucked away in the Act I sent you. There have been a number of revisions so I wonder if it has been lost in one of those - if not I would try contacting the Dept of Transport to see if you can get to the bottom of it.

Good Luck!

steve howell
Member - 4 posts

Carole, Many thanx, will do. Steve

Martin Petchey
Member - 1 post

Martin Petchey (marvera@talktalk.net)
How many disabled carparking spots should our working mens club have.
We have about twenty carparking places.
If we do not have any are we discriminating.

Jane Simpson
Member - 18 posts

Building Regulations refers you to BS8300, BS8300 recommends 6% of space to be accessible for shopping, recreation and leisure facilities. This would be 1 or 2. I would look at your layout and possible locations. You might want to consider any local planning requirments or take advice form your local Access Officer as well.

You would be wise to ensure a safe drop off space as well.

In terms of discrimination you would need to be able to defend the lack of a space, taking into account your policies, practices, procedures and the ability to pay. If all this means is some marking out, it might be difficult to defend.

Hope this helps.

Regards Jane