Disabled drivers to be charged for parking in New Forest council-owned car parks

THOUSANDS of disabled drivers could have to pay to use council-owned car parks in the New Forest.

Controversial plans to scrap the free parking enjoyed by Blue Badge holders are set to get the go ahead – despite strong opposition to the scheme.

A survey carried out by the district council showed that 86 per cent of Blue Badge owners in the Forest were against having to pay.

But members of the council’s ruling Cabinet have approved the scheme, which aims to boost the authority’s annual income by about £75,000.

Charges for Blue Badge holders are likely to be introduced next year once the necessary legal process has been completed.

The proposed change will affect about 10,000 Forest residents, plus disabled visitors to the district.

They would have to buy a ticket every time they use a council-owned car park, which will mean paying between 80p and £4 in places such as Lymington.

Alternatively, they can buy an annual parking permit for £100 or £20, depending on whether they want to use long or short-stay spaces.

The recommendation will now go to full council.

Comments(28)

theDmonster says...
12:11pm Thu 7 Mar 13

"A survey carried out by the district council showed that 86 per cent of Blue Badge owners in the Forest were against having to pay."
What a pointless survey, of course they were against having to pay. I am against having to pay for parking, but I wasn't surveyed!
Why do they get free parking anyway because they are disabled? Goes somewhat against equality by giving disabled people free parking anyway.

Letcommonsenseprevail says...
12:48pm Thu 7 Mar 13

I agree that they should have preferential (that is, reserved, wider spaces), but they should have to pay like everybody else.

justsayithowitis says...
1:06pm Thu 7 Mar 13

I would think that 86 per cent of non blue badge holders are against having to pay for parking. Why aren't we asked about this. Stop wasting money asking stupid questions

Mrspud28 says...
1:30pm Thu 7 Mar 13

theDmonster wrote:
"A survey carried out by the district council showed that 86 per cent of Blue Badge owners in the Forest were against having to pay."
What a pointless survey, of course they were against having to pay. I am against having to pay for parking, but I wasn't surveyed!
Why do they get free parking anyway because they are disabled? Goes somewhat against equality by giving disabled people free parking anyway.
So true. Disabled people want to be treated equally except when it comes to paying for parking or Queuing at theme parks.

richt says...
1:41pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Mrspud28 wrote:
theDmonster wrote: "A survey carried out by the district council showed that 86 per cent of Blue Badge owners in the Forest were against having to pay." What a pointless survey, of course they were against having to pay. I am against having to pay for parking, but I wasn't surveyed! Why do they get free parking anyway because they are disabled? Goes somewhat against equality by giving disabled people free parking anyway.
So true. Disabled people want to be treated equally except when it comes to paying for parking or Queuing at theme parks.
Maybe the parking clock should be available at a reduced rate for blue badge holders?
I have no problem with special access and no queueing for disabled people at theme parks, but I think that able-bodied celebrities should queue for rides and not get special treatment.

Jetwasher says...
1:48pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Make them pay like everyone else, they get plenty of benefits to cover the costs.

Azphreal says...
1:48pm Thu 7 Mar 13

The disabled have to pay in most carparks as it is as only the 'tax exempt' vehicles that are owned by or used by someone with severe mobility problems are still exempt.

Cmdr Kryll says...
1:52pm Thu 7 Mar 13

theDmonster wrote:
"A survey carried out by the district council showed that 86 per cent of Blue Badge owners in the Forest were against having to pay."
What a pointless survey, of course they were against having to pay. I am against having to pay for parking, but I wasn't surveyed!
Why do they get free parking anyway because they are disabled? Goes somewhat against equality by giving disabled people free parking anyway.
Totally agree, fine with closer, wider spaces but should have to pay the same as everyone else.

The Liberal says...
1:58pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Every time I see that ‘disabled must pay’ sign at a car park, I can't help but think of Glenn Hoddle.

l'anglais says...
4:02pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Car Park charges (like the cost of food) should be related to earnings.

Hessenford says...
4:05pm Thu 7 Mar 13

l'anglais wrote:
Car Park charges (like the cost of food) should be related to earnings.
what.

Hessenford says...
4:15pm Thu 7 Mar 13

I can understand disabled drivers getting free parking in towns and I can understand them having the right to park more or less wherever they like because of mobility problems but going to the new forest, probably for just a walk, they should pay like the rest of us.

theDmonster says...
4:20pm Thu 7 Mar 13

l'anglais wrote:
Car Park charges (like the cost of food) should be related to earnings.
What? Are you mental?
What incentive would there be to earn more money?
So if I earn more money I should pay pay twice as much for a loaf of bread? Even though its cost to produce is a fixed price? So a supermarket would make more profit? Who wins in your demented example?

s-pb2 says...
4:41pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Azphreal wrote:
The disabled have to pay in most carparks as it is as only the 'tax exempt' vehicles that are owned by or used by someone with severe mobility problems are still exempt.
Im glad you made that point so not all disabled people are 'tarred with the same brush'

CoogarUK.com says...
5:20pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Why shouldn't blue badge holders have to pay for parking? Most of them only seems to display the badge to escape having to pay to park in the first place.

ragj195 says...
5:24pm Thu 7 Mar 13

l'anglais wrote:
Car Park charges (like the cost of food) should be related to earnings.
lol

Letcommonsenseprevail says...
6:07pm Thu 7 Mar 13

l'anglais wrote:
Car Park charges (like the cost of food) should be related to earnings.
Absolute poppy-****! You're not living on Animal Farm!

Letcommonsenseprevail says...
6:08pm Thu 7 Mar 13

theDmonster wrote:
l'anglais wrote:
Car Park charges (like the cost of food) should be related to earnings.
What? Are you mental?
What incentive would there be to earn more money?
So if I earn more money I should pay pay twice as much for a loaf of bread? Even though its cost to produce is a fixed price? So a supermarket would make more profit? Who wins in your demented example?
And if I earn no money, everything will be free. Yippee!

wildcatz says...
6:13pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Why should Disabled people be expected to pay Twice, they have to buy a Blue Badge it is not given to them free. Would able bodied people like to pay twice... No I think not.

justsayithowitis says...
6:55pm Thu 7 Mar 13

wildcatz wrote:
Why should Disabled people be expected to pay Twice, they have to buy a Blue Badge it is not given to them free. Would able bodied people like to pay twice... No I think not.
I didn't know the blue badge had to be paid for but I am sure the price of it is not supposed to cover car park fees.

rayc says...
7:08pm Thu 7 Mar 13

wildcatz wrote:
Why should Disabled people be expected to pay Twice, they have to buy a Blue Badge it is not given to them free. Would able bodied people like to pay twice... No I think not.
I thought the blue badge was to enabling disabled drivers to park on double yellow lines. Apparently the blue badge ensures the vehicle not to cause an obstruction as would be the case with no blue badge.
I do not pretend to know the physics or engineering principles associated with it but they must apply otherwise why would councils paint the yellow lines in the first place?

Hessenford says...
8:05pm Thu 7 Mar 13

justsayithowitis wrote:
wildcatz wrote:
Why should Disabled people be expected to pay Twice, they have to buy a Blue Badge it is not given to them free. Would able bodied people like to pay twice... No I think not.
I didn't know the blue badge had to be paid for but I am sure the price of it is not supposed to cover car park fees.
The blue badge costs £10 apparently, very small charge and lasts for three years, don't see why they should park for free everywhere for just ten quid.

arti273 says...
8:42pm Thu 7 Mar 13

If any of you would like to take my disability of my hands, then I would be absolutley delighted for you to take my blue badge as well.

Anyone??

arti273 says...
8:52pm Thu 7 Mar 13

arti273 wrote:
If any of you would like to take my disability of my hands, then I would be absolutley delighted for you to take my blue badge as well.

Anyone??
And my car, my house, my net earnings for the next 25 years...

s-pb2 says...
10:42pm Thu 7 Mar 13

Azphreal wrote:
The disabled have to pay in most carparks as it is as only the 'tax exempt' vehicles that are owned by or used by someone with severe mobility problems are still exempt.
It appears that most of the posters here managed to ignore this completely valid and true comment and instead used this article to express their vitriolic and imbecilic attack on anyone remotely disabled just because they dare venture out of their homes because they park a few spaces nearer the chemist to torture the above posters into walking a few extra yards when they get their daily allowance of stupid pills, or god forbid, dare to go out and enjoy the open spaces and fresh air in the New Forest.

MrDMan says...
1:09am Fri 8 Mar 13

s-pb2 wrote:
Azphreal wrote:
The disabled have to pay in most carparks as it is as only the 'tax exempt' vehicles that are owned by or used by someone with severe mobility problems are still exempt.
It appears that most of the posters here managed to ignore this completely valid and true comment and instead used this article to express their vitriolic and imbecilic attack on anyone remotely disabled just because they dare venture out of their homes because they park a few spaces nearer the chemist to torture the above posters into walking a few extra yards when they get their daily allowance of stupid pills, or god forbid, dare to go out and enjoy the open spaces and fresh air in the New Forest.
Get of your high horse.
You can try and make the above posts seem like an attack on disabled people as a troll but everyone knows that isn't what it is.
Just re read what everyone else has written and then read your moronic chat then wind you neck in. Then.... Lick my balls.

justsayithowitis says...
5:34am Fri 8 Mar 13

arti273 wrote:
If any of you would like to take my disability of my hands, then I would be absolutley delighted for you to take my blue badge as well.

Anyone??
Why does someone always say that. The point of the article is whether people with a blue badge should pay for parking not whether you can give a disability to someone. I personally think they should pay the same as everyone else

arti273 says...
3:14pm Fri 8 Mar 13

justsayithowitis wrote:
arti273 wrote:
If any of you would like to take my disability of my hands, then I would be absolutley delighted for you to take my blue badge as well.

Anyone??
Why does someone always say that. The point of the article is whether people with a blue badge should pay for parking not whether you can give a disability to someone. I personally think they should pay the same as everyone else
It's not about the financial ability to pay, it's about the (dis)ability to physically pay. Personally, when every footstep is intolerably painful, then not having to take the 36 extra steps to get to the ticket machine and back to your car feels like a gift from God. Try getting up from your chair and taking 36 steps and see how that feels, the answer is you will probably feel nothing.

So the reason I made the statement is to attempt to put other people in our shoes for just one second and hope that they could think of the bigger picture, rather than basing their judgement on their own experiences and needs; and thinking this is all about money.

If the council installed a SMS text payment option in every car park, then I'd pay double the standard parking tariff to not have to walk to the ticket machine.

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