Council making up their own rules for on street parking for blue badge holders

Neil_B

Pssst wrote: »

Let it run to court for non payment and state your case there.

What 'Court' would that be!!!??

Pssst wrote: »

Consult your motoring org/car insurance co for legal advice if its part of your policy.

Never heard of any standard solicitor firm knowing anything about parking legislation?

best sources of advice are elsewhere --- err --- like here in this case!

---

--- and of course there is nothing to actually defend for the OP. PCN has been cancelled as was clearly announced.

Neil_B

Coblcris wrote: »

From the top of my head, not without trawling through the usual sources; the TSRGD etc.

Try Directions 24 (1) and 25 --- err maybe. I don't have time to trawl and decypher.

morrisoscar

morrisoscar wrote: »

According to the guy at Trafford Council Manchester are doing the same.:mad:

I have had a call from Manchester City Coucil Parking after contacting a local councillor, they confirmed that Manchester do not issue parking tickets to BB holders parking in free time limited on street bays.:j He was very concerned that Trafford staff are informing members of the public that Manchester do. So it would appear that Trafford stand alone in their interpretation of DfT guidelines.

Coblcris

I would suggest that any readers here who live in the area and have a BB proceed to park in such a bay in Trafford. Better yet if several readers did it.

morrisoscar

Neil_B wrote: »

Try Directions 24 (1) and 25 --- err maybe. I don't have time to trawl and decypher.

I think that was the section the traffic engineer looked at and came to the conclusion that ‘’BB holders are exempt from time restrictions’’ was not an allowed variation to the sign. This only adds to the argument that Trafford are reading the guideline the wrong way about and BB holders can park without restriction unless there is a sign to say they cannot. I have had sight of the TRO and not mention is made of BB holders.

morrisoscar

Reply from Trafford Councils Parking Manager.

The decision to not permit parking for longer than the stated time was amended by myself as a traffic management issue. I have spoken with the Department for Transport who have confirmed that there is nothing within the guidance or regulations to confirm that blue badge holders can park for longer than the time limit displayed. Parking penalties have been issued and on appeal each penalty has been cancelled with a first waiver to ensure drivers are advised of the parking requirements in limited waiting bays, there is no additional or amended sign requirement confirmed in the statutory guidance.

Regards

Nicola Henry

Parking Services Manager

Trafford Council


Interesting that the issuing of parking fines as a means of informing disabled drivers that the parking manager has changed her interpratation of rules is considered good practice by Trafford Council. They have had considerable criticism in the local press from Paul Goggins the local MP. However at present they continue to issue tickets. :mad:

The issue is due to be raised by the local councillor at a full council meeting on 2 December.

peter_the_piper

""I have spoken with the Department for Transport who have confirmed that there is nothing within the guidance or regulations to confirm that blue badge holders can park for longer than the time limit displayed.""

Equally is there anything within the same part to say they can't?

morrisoscar

peter_the_piper wrote: »

""I have spoken with the Department for Transport who have confirmed that there is nothing within the guidance or regulations to confirm that blue badge holders can park for longer than the time limit displayed.""

Equally is there anything within the same part to say they can't?

No there isn't.

I was told by the Department for Transport Blue Badge Help Line that the reason for there being no reference to these type of bays in their guidance is that they were unaware of any council that does not allow the use of a Blue Badge for an unlimited period in this type of bay, unless, there is a sign stating a time limit for badge holders.

Coblcris

This explicit signing related to blue badge timing is being exploited by come councils.
I do not have the references to hand today due to location so I suggest some internet searching may be productive unless someone reading this has them to hand.
The exploiting councils depend upon one poor paragraph from one document which is clearly resolved elsewhere as I recall. The DfT holds contrary views depending upon with whom you converse. However the answer is in the documentation as I recall.

morrisoscar

Coblcris wrote: »

This explicit signing related to blue badge timing is being exploited by come councils.
I do not have the references to hand today due to location so I suggest some internet searching may be productive unless someone reading this has them to hand.
The exploiting councils depend upon one poor paragraph from one document which is clearly resolved elsewhere as I recall. The DfT holds contrary views depending upon with whom you converse. However the answer is in the documentation as I recall.

If somebody has this information it would be great as I can pass it on to the councillor before the meeting.