Calls for Disabled Parking Abusers to be Fined

Blue Badge holders in Gloucester are calling for motorists who park in disabled spaces to be fined.  Recently, local MP Richard Graham and a police officer in a marked car, were both caught parking in disabled bays and drew attention to the issue.

Increased Awareness

Local resident, Simon Limbrick, is glad that the issue is gaining awareness but says it’s something he comes across regularly: “Many times I have witnessed abuses by people parking in these spaces without a Blue Badge.” he said.

“I have been met with everything from indifference to threats of violence when I approach drivers about it.”

Simon finds that the problem is especially prominent in Asda’s car park, and says: “When I’ve approached Asda employees about this, they say that although they can ask people to vacate the spot, they can’t force them.”

Subject to Penalties

Parking in a disabled space without a blue badge can cost you up to £1,000 if it’s in a council-run, public car park, but private car parks like those in supermarkets are not subject to the same penalty.

Spokesman for Asda, Tony Wilson, commented: “We’d like to reassure our customers that we take parking space abuse very seriously and regularly monitor our car parks for the misuse of disabled and family spaces.”

Asda have promised to increase visits from a parking attendant in the Gloucester store to monitor the situation and try to combat the problem.

Simon thinks that private car park owners should enforce a fine in the same way that public car parks can do, and thinks that disabled parking bays should be continuously monitored.

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