Disabled parkig bay issues

dori2o

2 years ago I applied for a disabled parking bay on our street, as close to our house as possible. As it turns out the bay has to be placed on the road outside next door-but-one as there are double yellows on the road outside mine and next doors. I asked for the bay to be placed on top of the yellows so that it wasn't impeding on next door-but-one but the council refused.

It was originally painted onto the road last February, however next door-but-one sucessfully had it removed in March as the council didn't follow their own procedures and correctly notify the neighbours.

Finally in September last year the issue went before the TRO panel and they unanimously agreed that the bay should be re-instated.

The signpost with the parking restriction details on was errected last November, but as yet the bay has not been laid down.

The council line painting truck arrived today to lay down the bay but there was a car parked where the bay is due to be put. I spoke to the workmen who said they have now attempted to lay down the bay 4 or 5 times but there is always a car parked there.

Another neighbour of mine who has been a family friend of my wifes for many years has just been round to tell me something that has left me fuming.

Apparently next door-but-one has arranged with 2 other neighbours to systematically ensure there is always a car parked in that spot in order to prevent the bay from being laid. Our friend says even she was asked to be a part of this arrangement as it was for the benefit of everyone who parks on this side of the street that the bay is not laid down.

I have done nothing to this person, we keep ourselves to ourselves and only speak to a few people on the street but we always say hello, good morning, merry christmas etc etc.

The story from our other neighbour may not be true and we have absolutely no proof and no way of proving it.

However the more I think about it the more sense it makes.

I've just come back from taking the kids to the dentist (and it was whilst getting out of the car that our friend approached me), when I left for the dentist one of the neighbours (who is supposedly involved) cars was parked in the spot where the bay is to be laid (lets call this Car A). It was their car which prevented the workmen from layibng the bay today.

When I have come home just over an hour later Car A has moved down the road a little and next door-but-one's car (Car is parked where Car A was, i.e. in the spot where the disabled bay is due to be painted.

I've now waited more than 2 years for this bay and my condition is now significantly worse than it was 2 years ago. Parkig being as it is I struggle just to get to and from the car when I cannot park outside next door-but-ones (which isn't very often in recent months).

I don't know what to do.

I have followed correct process, the council have followed correct process, the neighbour made representation to the TRO panel and they decided that despite their 'concerns' the bay should be lawfully re-instated.

Any advice appreciated.

sizzler1893

My Council painted the bay with a car parked there. Is this not the norm?

dori2o

sizzler1893 wrote: »

My Council painted the bay with a car parked there. Is this not the norm?

I would have thought it was but not according to the workmen I spoke to.

DaveTheMus

Could you or the on-side neighbour not park in the space and leave it there until the workmen arrive? Play them at their own game.

dori2o

DaveTheMus wrote: »

Could you or the on-side neighbour not park in the space and leave it there until the workmen arrive? Play them at their own game.

I suppose it's the only option I have.

The problem I have is that whilst my car will be here all day I won't be, I'll be at work and my wife doesn't drive, so unless the workmen will move my car for me if I left my car keys at home we'd be in the same situation.

I think I'm going to have to speak to the Council Highways department to see what they suggest.

cattermole

:mad: Some neighbours are that small minded and nasty it beggars believe really. Do they think people with disabilities don't need parking spaces?!!

Is it not perhaps worth taking a day's holiday on the day it is painted and parking your car there if you can? Arranging a day in advance with the Council so you can do this?

I would definitely speak to the Council about it. Perhaps they can put notes on the cars a couple of days beforehand stating if they are not moved on such and such a day, they will use enforcement or something?

This neighbour is clearly attempting to waste Council workers time as well if there is a deliberate plan to stop them marking the bay.

Poppie68

You may still have problems after the bay has been put into place, the bay is only advisory and not legally enforecable. Maybe going and speaking to the neighbours may help as they are obviously perturbed by losing their ability to park outside their house and there will be nothing to stop them still parking there when the bay has gone in.

Richie-from-the-Boro

Poppie68 is correct most are advisory and not enforceable. There are however private dwellings with a TRO [enforceable order] this disabled parking bay can usually be identified by a sign situated next to the bay which reads 'disabled badge holders only'. These TRO type bays mean the LA can issue penalties against any unauthorised drivers using these parking places including your own family. There are as far as I'm aware two different kinds (1) those for all BB holders to use and (2) those for one dedicated specific badge holder. The hard to get through enforceable dedicated specific badge holder must have no access to private parking at all, this latter dedicated BB holder clearly does not fit into dori2o's case but the first for all BB holders to use might well.

dori2o

Richie-from-the-Boro wrote: »

Poppie68 is correct most are advisory and not enforceable. There are however private dwellings with a TRO [enforceable order] this disabled parking bay can usually be identified by a sign situated next to the bay which reads 'disabled badge holders only'. These TRO type bays mean the LA can issue penalties against any unauthorised drivers using these parking places including your own family. There are as far as I'm aware two different kinds (1) those for all BB holders to use and (2) those for one dedicated specific badge holder. The hard to get through enforceable dedicated specific badge holder must have no access to private parking at all, this latter dedicated BB holder clearly does not fit into dori2o's case but the first for all BB holders to use might well.

RFTB, you are correct, the bay has been agreed under a TRO, but it is for any badge user not just me.

There is a post that has been installed on the edge of the pavement with a sign on it that states 'Disabled Badge Holders Only' exactly like this one



I'm going to phone the council tomorrow and see if I can get it arranged to have it laid down on Friday as I don't work Fridays and I should be able to get the car into the space if I keep an eye open for when she goes to work.

Cyclamen

would it be unsafe to park on the double yellows? if you have a blue badge you are allowed to do this if it is safe to do so.. but i am not sure if there is a time limit. .Iit wont solve your main problem but would allow you to get into your car close to your door.

I think it would be best to actually talk to your neighbours and sort this out before it gets messy.. i believe some councils have mediators for neighbour disputes.. there is obviously a lot of bad feeling flowating around.

I understand why the neighbours might be peeved.. if they bought/rented a house thinking there would be a good chance they could park outside it and now they cant. Of course that isn't helpful to you and as a disabled badge holder i know how important it is to have the car close to the house so you limit walking saving pain an denergy.


good luck

Morglin

I had a bay laid, and it was more trouble than it was worth - it was ignored by all and the council said they are non enforceable, unless on a Main Street, and a courtesy only, despite the signage and post.

Even if not ignored by the fit, it is also freely available for anyone with a blue badge anyway.

Lin