A DISABLED man from Poole said he is ‘over the moon’ after Poole Housing Partnership (PHP) agreed to reinstate a parking space for blue badge holders outside his home.

As reported in the Daily Echo last month, Darin Ball, who has type one diabetes and damage to his nervous system, said he had ‘lost a lifeline’ after PHP scrapped the only disabled parking space at his home in Malthouse, Market Close.

Following the decision Mr Ball set up a petition, which received more than 100 signatures from residents calling for the space to be reinstated.

The 42-year-old, who can only walk short distances, said he was delighted the decision had been reversed.

He said: “I’m over the moon.

“I set-up a petition and handed it to them (PHP) with 64 signatures. We got a lot more after that as well – we ended up with around 120.”

Mr Ball said he was grateful to the Daily Echo for highlighting the issue and for everyone who signed the petition.

“If it wasn’t for the Echo I don’t think we would have got it back, he said.

“I would also like to express my thanks to the residents who have been very helpful and reassuring, especially in Market Close.

“It’s only when you go out and start petitioning you see every walk of life and there are a lot of people out there who are disabled, often people that are worse off than yourself,” he said.

Steve Richards, director of housing management at Poole Housing Partnership, said the bay had been reinstated following a trial period. Mr Richards said: “We temporarily suspended the disabled parking bay at Malthouse in response to reports that the space wasn’t being used.

“Following a trial period, the bay has been reinstated, and we are continuing to work with residents to balance the needs of everyone living in the area.”