Disabled parking bays

Disabled parking bays provide on-street parking for the mobility impaired who are registered as disabled. (see blue badge scheme for more details). They allow disabled drivers to park outside their home if they do not have off-street parking and close to town centres and other busy areas. Disabled bays are not person specific and may be used by any disabled badge holder.

Disabled parking bays at home

In deciding whether disabled people are eligible for a parking bay on the street outside their homes, the council has to assess each case individually, balancing accessibility, safety and the right of everyone to use the highway. The parking bay will help disabled people to get to their house more easily. 

Is the bay only for me? 

No, parking bays for the disabled are advisory only and no action can be taken by the council or the police against other users whether they are displaying a blue badge or not.  This is because the bays are not being created by a traffic regulation order.  Even if they were they would be available for any disabled badge holder. 

Do I qualify?

To qualify for a parking bay you must meet the following criteria:-

·   You must own a car (or someone who lives with you must have one). 
·   There must be no off-street parking at your house or available to you in   
    the immediate vicinity.
·   You must qualify for the higher rate mobility part of the disability living
    allowance. 
·   You must hold a blue badge.

How do I apply?

You need to apply in writing and provide evidence of car ownership (a copy of the vehicle registration document must be enclosed with the completed application form), evidence that you receive higher rate disability allowance, evidence that you hold a blue badge and written support from your immediate neighbours for the parking bay. 

When we receive the application form we will visit the location to ensure it is safe and practical to put a parking bay there.

We will write to you to confirm the suitability of the site and when the paking bay will be marked out.

Before the bay is marked out you must pay an administration fee of £30 to the county council for inspecting the site and dealing with your application. There is no charge for the work itself.

Dealing with applications and marking out parking bays costs far more than the administration fee. The number of parking bays that can be provided in any year will be limited by the funding available. 

Where do I get an application form?

You can download the application form using the link below and print it out. Alternatively you can get one from:-

         Cumbria County Council
         Cumbria Highways
         Barras Lane
         Dalston
         CARLISLE    
         CA5 7NY

         Telephone :     01228 227731
         Fax :              01228 607658
         E-mail :           lynn.howie@cumbriacc.gov.uk

Complete and return the form with the letters of support from your neighbours, a copy of the vehicle registration document (if the applicant is not the vehicle owner) and evidence that you are a Blue Badge holder in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of The Disability Living Allowance, to the address above.         

Removal of disabled parking bays        

If the disabled parking bay is no longer needed, you should inform Cumbria Highways, who will arrange for the removal of the road markings.  This is important as the presence of unused/unnecessary disabled parking bays will lead to the loss of respect for the scheme amongst the motoring public, who may ignore disabled parking bays which are needed.