Problem getting disabled space painted by council
Discussion
My MIL has a long term debilitating illness that has been getting worse, she used to live in a 1st floor council flat but the stairs were getting too much for her, so the council have moved her into a nice new build ground floor council flat complete with new parking. However the rest of the street have now started parking in the spaces for the new flat, meaning she often can’t get parked resulting in an often painful walk to her home from along the street.
I contacted the council and asked if they could mark one of the spaced as disabled so she could get parked ok, but they said they can’t until the development is ‘adopted’ from the developer. Until then they said they are not going to do anything. I argued that she is not going to magically get better until then, but they don’t care. I asked if the developer gave them permission could they mark it, but again they said no.
Does anyone know if there is anything I could quote to them to spur them into action, some disability rights act type thing? It’s really upsetting my MIL who was otherwise enjoying her new house and not having to tackle stairs every day.
I contacted the council and asked if they could mark one of the spaced as disabled so she could get parked ok, but they said they can’t until the development is ‘adopted’ from the developer. Until then they said they are not going to do anything. I argued that she is not going to magically get better until then, but they don’t care. I asked if the developer gave them permission could they mark it, but again they said no.
Does anyone know if there is anything I could quote to them to spur them into action, some disability rights act type thing? It’s really upsetting my MIL who was otherwise enjoying her new house and not having to tackle stairs every day.
rainagain said:
I contacted the council and asked if they could mark one of the spaced as disabled so she could get parked ok, but they said they can’t until the development is ‘adopted’ from the developer. Until then they said they are not going to do anything.
You misunderstand them. It's not that they won't do anything, but they can't. It's not their road to do anything with until it's adopted.rainagain said:
I asked if the developer gave them permission could they mark it, but again they said no.
And such is their right. It would quite likely not be enforceable, anyway.rainagain said:
Does anyone know if there is anything I could quote to them to spur them into action, some disability rights act type thing?
How is she being discriminated against?BTW, you do know that marking a space as "disabled" simply means anybody with a blue badge can use it, not just one specific user, right?
As has been said it wouldn't be difficult to get some correct grade yellow paint and work to a pattern and do it yourself - who will know or object? I'd also get a stick on sign for the wall or kerb saying disabled parking reserved for Flat X
Would take a lot less time and effort than chasing up the various departments you've tried so far...
Would take a lot less time and effort than chasing up the various departments you've tried so far...
You can't expect the council to paint markings on land that belongs to someone else.
Ask the developer, tell them it's urgent. If they aren't interested then email them, copying in the NHBC. I'm not sure whether it's technically something they have to do, or something the NHBC would enforce, but this does sometimes get things achieved in new developments.
Ask the developer, tell them it's urgent. If they aren't interested then email them, copying in the NHBC. I'm not sure whether it's technically something they have to do, or something the NHBC would enforce, but this does sometimes get things achieved in new developments.
sospan said:
Abused?
Strong term to use over non regulated parking!
Speak to the developer. If the properties concerned were planned to be for disabled occupants then provisions for their parking surely should have been included?
The OP said the flats have been provided with their own parking and people unrelated to the flats are using those spaces. That's abuse.Strong term to use over non regulated parking!
Speak to the developer. If the properties concerned were planned to be for disabled occupants then provisions for their parking surely should have been included?
Talk with her local Councillor, and if that fails, her MP.
They are sometimes useless, but sometimes brilliant at representing their constituents and good ones will be very savvy at banging a few heads together.... nothing to lose... just keep a record of communications; if they fail to even respond you can shame them to the local press.
They are sometimes useless, but sometimes brilliant at representing their constituents and good ones will be very savvy at banging a few heads together.... nothing to lose... just keep a record of communications; if they fail to even respond you can shame them to the local press.
i'd looked at getting one till I looked at my County Council site and found
"Please note an ‘advisory disabled person’s parking bay’ is unofficial and non-enforceable" -possibly a local County ruling?
But I've noticed that locally most disabled spaces are barely large enough to fit the car in .
"Please note an ‘advisory disabled person’s parking bay’ is unofficial and non-enforceable" -possibly a local County ruling?
But I've noticed that locally most disabled spaces are barely large enough to fit the car in .
TooMany2cvs said:
BTW, you do know that marking a space as "disabled" simply means anybody with a blue badge can use it, not just one specific user, right?
Errr, as a matter of fact, personalised disabled bays do exist. They are particularly common in London but many other places outside of London do seem to have a similar scheme. The disabled person has to apply for one as it's not an automatic right.Having said that, we shouldn't detract from the fact that the council still can't do anything on land they don't own or a road they have not adopted. Sorry OP, I know it's a pain but until the road is adopted, the council cannot do anything.
TooMany2cvs said:
BTW, you do know that marking a space as "disabled" simply means anybody with a blue badge can use it, not just one specific user, right?
That was what I'd heard ,until I looked at getting one. Then I found that in my County ,it's discretionary enforcement.I & other residents have found that a united front about spaces outside our properties ( I know we have no rights) makes regular visitors to other properties go elsewhere. Possibly a local rule change. There's one near my son's place, and at times it's the only space around. I have no qualms about using it as I have a badge, but apparently the resident is very possessive and threatens to call police.
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