Disabled parking badge is not a perk

It is difficult enough for us people with a disability to firstly find a designated space and secondly to get around town. Spaces are few and far between for disabled drivers, in some towns and cities I have visited they have car spaces at each end of the streets, purely for disabled parking and they are available all day and night free of charge, but not so in Warwickshire
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Sep 2011, 09:13 BST

The mere suggestion of WDC to imply that it may introduce paying for a parking space in car parks, (it will then be extend to on-street parking) is just totally ludicrous. This is no perk, I would far rather be fit, pay for my parking, and then be able to walk whatever distance to the shops etc, but with my severe disability this is impossible so have to plan which shops etc. I am going to, then hopefully find a space near them and get my business done. I then have to move my car to another part of town and do this all over again. This is no perk but an essential part of life for not only me but for all disabled drivers alike, we have to plan our visits and work out where and if we can get a parking space close by, which is no easy feat.

I whole-heartedly agree with Cllr Bill Gifford (Lib Dem) that such an introduction would gain the council so little money it would not be worth doing.

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If parking charges were cheaper or a more reasonable cost more people would park in the streets but instead they drive around and find areas where they can park for free and then you find the side streets chock a block with the commuters who park there all day long.

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The only other benefit this charging would make is to stop the illegal parkers who use our spaces for their own benefit, yet have no disability or a blue bage holder. If challenged they either give you a torrid of abuse or shrug their shoulders and walk away. This happened to me the other week, but I decided enough was enough and having driven around several times looking for a space, when this sporty car went into a disabled space and he was not going to move. I took a photo of the offending vehicle and when I did eventually get back to my car, (parked on double yellows) there was a traffic warden beside my car so I produced the evidence as to why I had to be there and she did “hot foot” it back to that car. I did leave with a smile on my face, but of course if WDC imposes charges on these spaces I am sure we will then have plenty empty ones for us.

Think again Warwick District Council, remember our benefits do not cover for the paying of a parking space. Benefits are to help us try and lead a better quality of life, and as Mrs Walwyn said everything costs more,we put more effort into planning our outings so why should we have to pay for a parking space when we are entitled to the use of a blue badge, which does entitle us to free parking. - Ronald Buyers, via email.

Related topics:WarwickshireBenefitsWarwick District Council