Why do the disabled get free passage on the Severn Bridges?

geordieracer

whitewing wrote: »

Perhaps they've been on MSE longer than you!

Its got nothing to do with MSE or anything else. The fact is they have at times a higher disposable income then me. they can go out weekly and buy what ever they want so it appears whereas i cannot unless its pay day.
They pay a minimal rent on where they live and thats about all i can see for their major outgoings apart from the rates.And whilst im not actually bitter for what they can get it does make me feel a bit uneasy when people on low income jobs cant get their hands on the nicer things in life with out getting in debt or not having it at all.

mum2one

SHIPSHAPE wrote: »

Thank you for a constructive reply.

The reason(s) I ask is because this has cropped up within the transport sector for which I work as tolls are a huge topic in south Wales. We are looking at every single aspect of the French owned bridges to compile a report.

Now, I understand the points you raise above, assisted parking with special bays for example is common sense.

However, specifically, how does not paying a bridge toll ease a disabled persons life other than financially? One doesn't reach Cardiff, for instance, in any shorter a time or in more comfort.

Do disabled people have access to cheaper fuel? If not, why not?

As a disabled person, I have only had need to use the Severn bridge once as that was because of an accident on the M5, we were travelling back from Devon, and the only other route to where we needed to go was via the Severn bridge and up to Gloucester. I have travelled the 200 mile route to Devon 4 times and year and I can do the secnic route via Glousester, down to the Severn Bridge, then pik up the M5 at Bristol, or I can go all motorway bar the 1st 10 miles.

A lot of the acess, the extras etc, are put in place to make a disabled person life easier, something as simple as parking in a disabled bay in a multi-story car-park, you an get out of the car easier.
Another aspect is travelling, where I am, before I had my car accidents I use to walk into the town centre, which would take 30 mins, - now I have to drive there, and simple things from getting my child to and from school for me necessaties a car journey, whereas if my parents took my daughter they would be able to walk.
What I'm really trying to say is that a disabled person will need to use transport nore than an able bodied person.

For example - use the Devon accident incident - where as an able bodied person may of felt as the police had re-opened on lane of the motorway, and the 3 hr hold up would be acceptable for them, for a disabled person that 3 hour hold up would be a living nightmare, so therefore would take the alternative route - the severn bridge. A disabled person will need to get from A to B, as quick as possible and if a toll bridge was the quickest route then that be it, - therefore I can presume that is the reason that \toll bridge doesn't charge.

System

mum2one wrote: »

For example - use the Devon accident incident - where as an able bodied person may of felt as the police had re-opened on lane of the motorway, and the 3 hr hold up would be acceptable for them, for a disabled person that 3 hour hold up would be a living nightmare, so therefore would take the alternative route - the severn bridge. A disabled person will need to get from A to B, as quick as possible and if a toll bridge was the quickest route then that be it, - therefore I can presume that is the reason that \toll bridge doesn't charge.

That is trying to invent reasons where none exist! In that situation there is no reason why a blue badge holder's needs/wishes are any different to an able bodied person. Why will a disabled person (and that is such a wide category as to be meaningless in this context) NEED to get from A to B as quickly as possible when an able bodied person wouldn't?

Everybody needs/wants to get from A to B as quickly as possible, it's not the sole preserve of the disabled person.

cajef

katsu wrote: »

Having a disability tends to involve extra living costs compared to able bodied people.

Financial help is important in being able to meet living costs and psychologically beneficial to be able to travel to friends, family, appointments and work.

You are generalising and lumping all disabled people together, I agree if they are in a low income group that is fair enough but if a disabled person has a substantial income as no doubt some have why should they get subsidised and concessionary items, payed for out of ordinary tax payers money, I know someone who's husband earns over 60K a year yet she gets all these free extras.

It is just as important for a lot of people to be able to travel, many on low incomes are in a similar situation yet they do not get these freebies.

esmerobbo

I do have a blue badge but can not see why I don't need to pay to cross a toll. I can see why I need to maybe park a little closer to where I am going then an able bodied person. I can see why I can park where others cant if I cant walk to where I am going. I get extra money to deal with my disability, part of that is travelling expenses. Then I think we should pay!

Coupon-mad

esmerobbo wrote: »

I do have a blue badge but can not see why I don't need to pay to cross a toll. I can see why I need to maybe park a little closer to where I am going then an able bodied person. I can see why I can park where others cant if I cant walk to where I am going. I get extra money to deal with my disability, part of that is travelling expenses. Then I think we should pay!

I agree with esmerobbo and others who say that disabled roadusers should pay tolls.

I have had 3 disabled family members in recent years (sadly only one still living) and I also worked as a Disability Advice Manager and later as a driver for disabled people.

I still do not see why disabled drivers/passengers should get free parking or crossing when able-bodied people don't. They are all in a car, travelling on the same basis as the next person and a free toll does not 'enable' them in any way that seems to fall within the Equality Act (previously DDA). Access and parking provision is different of course, but free motoring concessions - why?

My late Mum had a higher income than we do as a family with low wages and 4 children. Why would we have been able to use a toll free when giving Mum a lift but not otherwise?

I think the question posed by the OP was perfectly reasonable, and don't see why the question was rudely jumped on by posters who aren't often seen on the motoring/parking forum. There is a tendency for some people to think that others are 'jealous' if they question disabled concessions when it's nothing to do with jealousy, it's to do with common sense and wanting to know WHY a decision has been made which seems to have no logical reason behind it.

System

Coupon-mad wrote: »

I think the question posed by the OP was perfectly reasonable, and don't see why the question was rudely jumped on by posters who aren't often seen on the motoring/parking forum.

Because the attitude on these forums appears to be that concessions for the disabled are a sacred cow and should NEVER be questioned.

If you do question them then you are branded as anti-disabled and all the anger that they can muster is heaped upon you.

esmerobbo

!!!!!! wrote: »

Because the attitude on these forums appears to be that concessions for the disabled are a sacred cow and should NEVER be questioned.

Disability concessions should be to make things equal not to gain an advantage. So it follows that others should be able to question the concession if it looks as if it an unfair advantage.

LilacPixie

It used to be that the Tay and Forth bridges were free to cross for holders of a blue badge as well but they have now rolled it out to everyone and made the road toll free.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

LilacPixie wrote: »

It used to be that the Tay and Forth bridges were free to cross for holders of a blue badge as well but they have now rolled it out to everyone and made the road toll free.

I wish they would do this for the Dartford crossing.

Very good post there coupon mad and i agree with everything you say.