Using a Blue Badge in 2 places simultaneously?

Emmia

prettyandfluffy said:

Emmia said:

kryten3000 said:

It's not an abuse if the badge holder has driven themselves to the station and needs the extra space to exit/enter the vehicle and then requires the badge when staying away, but I would agree that getting a lift/taxi (the badge can still be used while exiting the vehicle) would be the "safer" option.

There is an argument that if the car is parked in a disabled space when the holder is away for a while, that they are taking up a facility that could be used by someone else (repeatedly?). Ideally the OP getting a taxi to / from the station is probably the solution.

For clarity, the parking space I  would use is a paid long-stay space within the station car park.  There is generous blue badge parking provided, I have never seen another vehicle parked there because there are far cheaper council-run car parks near by and also free short-stay blue badge spaces at the station.  The council car parks are too far for me to walk.  £20 each way for a taxi is not affordable.

How much do you pay for the parking? I think you have to choose whether to park in a disabled space and leave your badge, to get a taxi and take your badge... Or to park in a non-disabled space and take your badge - but that's risky in terms of when you get back to your car at the end of your trip, and the parking may be less convenient/suitable.

prettyandfluffy

£5Emmia said:

prettyandfluffy said:

Emmia said:

kryten3000 said:

It's not an abuse if the badge holder has driven themselves to the station and needs the extra space to exit/enter the vehicle and then requires the badge when staying away, but I would agree that getting a lift/taxi (the badge can still be used while exiting the vehicle) would be the "safer" option.

There is an argument that if the car is parked in a disabled space when the holder is away for a while, that they are taking up a facility that could be used by someone else (repeatedly?). Ideally the OP getting a taxi to / from the station is probably the solution.

For clarity, the parking space I  would use is a paid long-stay space within the station car park.  There is generous blue badge parking provided, I have never seen another vehicle parked there because there are far cheaper council-run car parks near by and also free short-stay blue badge spaces at the station.  The council car parks are too far for me to walk.  £20 each way for a taxi is not affordable.

How much do you pay for the parking?

It starts at about £5 for the day, gets slightly cheaper the longer you stay. 

prettyandfluffy

Emmia said:

prettyandfluffy said:

Emmia said:

kryten3000 said:

It's not an abuse if the badge holder has driven themselves to the station and needs the extra space to exit/enter the vehicle and then requires the badge when staying away, but I would agree that getting a lift/taxi (the badge can still be used while exiting the vehicle) would be the "safer" option.

There is an argument that if the car is parked in a disabled space when the holder is away for a while, that they are taking up a facility that could be used by someone else (repeatedly?). Ideally the OP getting a taxi to / from the station is probably the solution.

For clarity, the parking space I  would use is a paid long-stay space within the station car park.  There is generous blue badge parking provided, I have never seen another vehicle parked there because there are far cheaper council-run car parks near by and also free short-stay blue badge spaces at the station.  The council car parks are too far for me to walk.  £20 each way for a taxi is not affordable.

How much do you pay for the parking? I think you have to choose whether to park in a disabled space and leave your badge, to get a taxi and take your badge... Or to park in a non-disabled space and take your badge - but that's risky in terms of when you get back to your car at the end of your trip, and the parking may be less convenient/suitable.

Yes I think an ordinary parking space may be the answer.  Thank you.  As the council car park is cheaper, there are usually free spaces in the station car park.

Half_way

In my opinion this would not be an abuse of the system, but it does highlight a shortcoming in the system.

 

If the OP has a need to use disabled provision, then they should be able to use it.

 If this is a pre booked/long stay car park then it would be expected to for a person with a blue badge /disability to make use of the provision provided. If this is a bog standard council car park designed for sort stay then there could be some mileage in the argument about space hogging.

My thoughts would be if the long stay car park is a pre booked one to inform them that you have mobility issues, but need to take your blue badge with you, park up and either use the disabled provision/let them direct you to a suitable space take your blue badge and use it where you need it.

When i have been volunteering/helping to run event car parks, we have not always had much in the way of disabled parking. Its only there because people get irate when its not however the preferred method is to assist those who need it and park them up in a more suitable area/better bit of ground - ie on a level bit of grass field or across bays if there's a marked car park.

 

So if a  paid car park let them know you need extra provision - you dont have to but it will/should smooth things a little and take your blue badge with you.

 

Dont feel guilty, you are not abusing the system

Ralph-y

Is there a white list provision for the booking or station ?

prettyandfluffy

@Half_way and @Ralph-y, thank you for those thoughts.  I will call at the station and ask.  I do t know what a White List is but I'll investigate.

kimwp

I don't think it's an abuse of the system. Someone who didn't need a blue badge would be able to park in the car park, take a train and then travel as a passenger at the other end.

Would it be worth contacting the train station to see if they could provide assistance from/to a non-blue badge parking spot or alternatively provide you with something to put in the car to say it's ok that you are in that spot?

fisherjim

There is no intentional abuse of the system, and the OP is not exactly taking up two disabled spaces (in the world) as has been suggested.

This is not a shopper's car park, it is as I understand; it a long stay car park with disabled access provision serving another mode of transport. 

It makes perfect sense and is perfectly reasonable that a disabled person may need their badge at their destination, what this highlights is that the station car park's disabled parking area needs a re-think to accommodate such situations, e.g. pre booking with a barrier code or the VRN white listed for the duration.