Painting out disabled parking markings

[peachybabe]

I work for a local authority, and we have recently moved into a new building with a secure underground car park. Parking is very limited, but as a blue badge holder, I am supposedly given priority. In the last week I have found that several disabled parking bays have had their disabled markings blacked out, so that Councillors can have a parking space as near to the lifts as possible. I'm miffed to say the least! Is it legal to do this?

[paraffin]

Hi peachy:

Sorry to hear that. There are some selfish so and sos around!
I doubt if there's any illegality as such, however, it may well be that certain regulations have been breached as a result of what's been done.

You should make representations to your head of department in the first instance and, I would suggest, to any union rep you may have.

You must find out who authorised / arranged for the markings to be deleted, and why?

I realise that it may be a daunting thing for you to have to do but the bottom line is that your entitlement to essential parking because of your disability has been hijacked in order that some selfish, lazy so-called able bodied individuals can have more convenient access to the lifts. It's outrageous.

Please pursue the matter - I know I would. Best of luck.

[Jan1957]

I'm with paraffin. As a blue badge holder myself I would be really angry if that happened and definitely think you should look into it.

[Panic Button]

Does this mean you are unable to get a parking space?

I found this on a government website, which should tell you how many bays they should have.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/tal/parkin gmatters/parkingfordisabledpeople?page=3#a1002

If they are providing sufficient, and you are not failing to find a disabled parking space, then I don't think you have grounds to complain.

[peachybabe]

Thanks all! It's all really useful info. I will be "advising" my employers regarding their responsibilities!