Far-reaching effects of disabled parking charges review
A Cerebral palsy sufferer has won a battle against the City of Lincoln Council to have parking charges reviewed.
In a decision that could have repercussions across the country, City Hall has agreed to reassess parking tariffs for blue badge holders.
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Matt Smith, front left, with other supporters who started a petition against parking charges for blue badge-holders.
It has come after the threat of being taken Judicial Review by wheelchair-bound Matt Smith, 29, who claims the charges are unlawful.
They were introduced in April last year and prompted Mr Smith to gather a case for a Judicial Review.
Mr Smith said they were unfair because it meant disabled drivers were effectively paying more for parking than able-bodied people.
He pointed out that a disabled person takes much longer to get out of and into their cars and around town, meaning they were parking for longer and therefore paying more.
The council planned to oppose the move but dropped the action on November 13, hours before a scheduled hearing to determine whether Mr Smith had a case.
Now, with just more than six-weeks until the Judicial Review, the council has agreed to carry out its own review of parking charges and provision.
Mr Smith, of Wragby Road, Lincoln, said : "I look forward to being actively involved in the consultation process to ensure the views and concerns of blue badge holders are represented throughout the process."
For more on the implications of this decision, see Monday's Echo.
39 Comments
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by Intel Imp, Newark
Monday, March 08 2010, 4:56PM
“If charges are too high come to Newark on a Saturday and park wherever you like as most blue badge holders do. Disregard yellow lines, block the access only roads and clog up the market for the sake (in most cases) of saving £1.20. I have no problems with genuine badge holders who need access, its just a significant amount appear to be abusing the system.”
by lynn, lincoln
Monday, March 08 2010, 4:55PM
“Well Matt, (or is it THE Matt here), I am not lacking in brain cells, nor am I uneducated.
Yes, I admire Matt for standing up for his beliefs, the man has determination to say the least.
As I stated in my earlier post, I'm not interested in entering Lincoln, albeit free or not to park my vehicle. I do, however, believe that everyone should pay the same parking fee, whether disabled or not. The comment about disabled toilets was interesting, I thought they were exclusively for their use only. That has given me food for thought the next time I'm queuing up with my legs crossed next to an empty cubicle. Has anyone used Asda 'George' facilities on Tritton Road, immaculate.”
by Matt, Lincoln
Monday, March 08 2010, 4:34PM
“Quite frankly it is clear that those who oppose the campaign lack a few brain cells or are not that well educated. I believe Matt didn't claim it as a 'victory' but a positive step in the right direction.
And you who post on here ranting and raving, maybe if you weren't so lazy and actually had the guts to do what Matt did - stand up for your beliefs it may not have come to this! Just because someone has the guts to stand up against Government you seem jealous as he's stronger than you!”
by claire, lincoln
Monday, March 08 2010, 4:22PM
“polcop cambs get yourselfa life ,does it really matter if caps are used ,what a pedantic little person you are, i hope my 1st statement has made you feel all warm inside
as for disabled toilets and spaces i have never used them,i dont use my children as a reason to make them dirty ,your words not mine.
nor did i say if someone doesnt look disabled they arnt, i jus think that all car users should pay the same parking charges. by the way im nort disabled but my baby son who died was so dont judge us all the same”
by willshire, Lincoln
Monday, March 08 2010, 4:20PM
“What on earth is discompensation?”
by John, Lincoln
Monday, March 08 2010, 4:06PM
“Spoon: "women like to take a bit longer in the shops than(some) men then they too should get a discount. " I think you are confusing the fact women chose to take longer with disabled people having to take longer. Also you might find yourself subject to sex discrimination laws”
by Gedge, Bassingham
Monday, March 08 2010, 3:24PM
“"...they aren't being charged more, just the same and rightly so...
Steve, Lincoln "
Steve, you may think it is right but the legislation disagreeing with your has been law for several years.
Equality is not just about letting people use the same facilities or being charged more it is also about avoiding them costing more because of the individual's impairment.”
by Spoon, Lincoln
Monday, March 08 2010, 3:12PM
“I don't see NCP giving up cark park income to make free their disabled spaces and they are not being hounded about it. The other thing I would point out it that aside from the car park spaces they are not free there are on-road spaces such as those on Flaxengate and off Mint Lane that are free. Also they can park on the road anyway. The next thing we will no doubt hear is that because (some) women like to take a bit longer in the shops than(some) men then they too should get a discount.”
by Stan Butler, On The Buses
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:51PM
“This is in my opinion PC gone crazy. I have no problems with a disabled space being wider for wheel chair users however, claiming you take longer is no excuse. I cant go shopping in the week because I am at work. I cant get served as quick as I like at the supermarket till because there is a que. This dosent give me special discompensation and should mean free parking for as long as you like either. If this guy has problems with shopping why not shop on line/ Or why dosent he get someone to shop for him? He is not that disabled that he cannot drive? Who puts his petrol in his car for him, the petrol faries? The disabled being exempt from parking charges is totally unfair. Lastly; why are there disabled parking spaces next to a DIY store. Without wishing sound flippant; if you are that disabled you are hardly going to need power tools and a ladder..”
by thingy, hell
Monday, March 08 2010, 2:45PM
“Parking rights aside......one thing | have noticed on numerous occasions is: why quite a high percentage of vehicles displaying a 'disabled' badge at the side of any given road, is a great, humungous 4*4 jeep. The people that emerge from them have not so much as a limp, in fact have more energy than I do as a fairly fit man in his 30's. Also supermarkets tend to exert 'overkill' with the amount of disabled and mother and baby parking bays they provide. I think its the 'perception' that is observed by abled bodied people that tend to taint peoples views on things such as this.”