Parking in a disabled space when a car park is full
Discussion
Today, after work, I visited my local express. It's got a small car park with about 12 spaces, plus 2 disabled. When I visited, the car park was full and the only spaces available were the 2 disabled ones. I did a lap of the car park to see if anybody was leaving, but no luck. I noticed an employee chatting to a security guard not far from the disabled spaces, so I parked in one, got out of my car and asked if I could actually park in one seeing as there weren't any other spaces available. I was told no, it's "illegal" and to find somewhere else to park or I'd get a ticket.
I did another lap of the car park, no joy, so went to the local Waitrose which had a more reasonably sized car park. No big deal, and in fairness Waitrose were doing a surprisingly cheap deal on what I wanted (12 Heinekens for £8.80!) so it was a blessing in disguise. However it got me thinking as I was driving home - are disabled spaces only usable by disabled folks, even if the other spaces are full?
Just to explain, I have no problem with disabled spaces and would never park in one out of sheer laziness, but is the expectation that if no generic spaces are available, then the car park is only for disabled people?
I did another lap of the car park, no joy, so went to the local Waitrose which had a more reasonably sized car park. No big deal, and in fairness Waitrose were doing a surprisingly cheap deal on what I wanted (12 Heinekens for £8.80!) so it was a blessing in disguise. However it got me thinking as I was driving home - are disabled spaces only usable by disabled folks, even if the other spaces are full?
Just to explain, I have no problem with disabled spaces and would never park in one out of sheer laziness, but is the expectation that if no generic spaces are available, then the car park is only for disabled people?
Erm probably the opposite. If the car park is full then the disabled really need those spaces if they turn up.
What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
Flumpo said:
Erm probably the opposite. If the car park is full then the disabled really need those spaces if they turn up.
What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
?What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
Second Best said:
I did another lap of the car park, no joy, so went to the local Waitrose which had a more reasonably sized car park.
Always the way to go:- Vote with your wallet.Only in the most dire circumstances will you find me shopping anywhere without a sizeable, free car park.
Regularly full? Don't go there.
Excessive speed bumps? Shop elsewhere.
Etc.
Pica-Pica said:
Flumpo said:
Erm probably the opposite. If the car park is full then the disabled really need those spaces if they turn up.
What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
?What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
Flumpo said:
Pica-Pica said:
Flumpo said:
Erm probably the opposite. If the car park is full then the disabled really need those spaces if they turn up.
What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
?What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
Pica-Pica said:
Flumpo said:
Pica-Pica said:
Flumpo said:
Erm probably the opposite. If the car park is full then the disabled really need those spaces if they turn up.
What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
?What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
Second Best said:
Today, after work, I visited my local express. It's got a small car park with about 12 spaces, plus 2 disabled. When I visited, the car park was full and the only spaces available were the 2 disabled ones. I did a lap of the car park to see if anybody was leaving, but no luck. I noticed an employee chatting to a security guard not far from the disabled spaces, so I parked in one, got out of my car and asked if I could actually park in one seeing as there weren't any other spaces available. I was told no, it's "illegal" and to find somewhere else to park or I'd get a ticket.
I did another lap of the car park, no joy, so went to the local Waitrose which had a more reasonably sized car park. No big deal, and in fairness Waitrose were doing a surprisingly cheap deal on what I wanted (12 Heinekens for £8.80!) so it was a blessing in disguise. However it got me thinking as I was driving home - are disabled spaces only usable by disabled folks, even if the other spaces are full?
Just to explain, I have no problem with disabled spaces and would never park in one out of sheer laziness, but is the expectation that if no generic spaces are available, then the car park is only for disabled people?
It's private land, so not unlawful.I did another lap of the car park, no joy, so went to the local Waitrose which had a more reasonably sized car park. No big deal, and in fairness Waitrose were doing a surprisingly cheap deal on what I wanted (12 Heinekens for £8.80!) so it was a blessing in disguise. However it got me thinking as I was driving home - are disabled spaces only usable by disabled folks, even if the other spaces are full?
Just to explain, I have no problem with disabled spaces and would never park in one out of sheer laziness, but is the expectation that if no generic spaces are available, then the car park is only for disabled people?
Parking there without the need could breach the terms and conditions they seek to impose via the signage, and they may then seek to levy a charge on you.
Flumpo said:
What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
Best entertainment is when some doddery old gentleman, who probably can't even make out the markings, parks in the busy parent and child bays when the disabled bays are all free. Queue wrath of the mums.Thesprucegoose said:
Ermm it is unlawful, you enter a contract when you enter the carpark to agree to terms and conditions, as long as stated on signs, to enforce.
Maybe you mean it is not a criminal offence?
I mean there is no Law prohibiting it.Maybe you mean it is not a criminal offence?
It is breach of contract, if the operator can satisfy a judge that a contract existed.
meatballs said:
Flumpo said:
What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
Best entertainment is when some doddery old gentleman, who probably can't even make out the markings, parks in the busy parent and child bays when the disabled bays are all free. Queue wrath of the mums.
I use parent and child spaces if the car park is full. Never disabled. Although... I once parked in a disabled bay at Asda near Perckham. both hands in braces after a bike crash. Very hard to get in and out of the car. Got a "ticket". Car park guy was having none of it when I explained why. Took it in and offered to return my entire trolley of shopping for a refund. They cancelled the ticket.
Pica-Pica said:
Flumpo said:
Pica-Pica said:
Flumpo said:
Erm probably the opposite. If the car park is full then the disabled really need those spaces if they turn up.
What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
?What I find frustrating is when there are a huge amount of disabled spaces that are always empty, then you have a huge amount of empty parent child spaces, then some standard spaces that are quite a distance from the shop.
It does wind me up, then I think I’m probably lucky to not have a disability and I’m lucky I can walk.
PorkInsider said:
Buster73 said:
I’d rather walk half a mile with bags of shopping before I even think about parking in a disabled place.
Absolutely this.I won’t park in disabled spaces and would just go somewhere else if the rest were full.
My mum had MS and my sister is also suffering with it. I understand the need for wide spaces that are close to where you’re going, and just how lucky I am to be able to walk to the far side of the car park.
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