Posted By Charley Farley-Trelawney Only to pleased to assist Mark, information is as follows: A car park used for employees and visitors to business premises with up to 200 bays is: Individual bays for each disabled employee plus two bays or 5% of total capacity whichever is the greater. Over 200 bays: 6 bays plus 2% of total capacity. Shooping recreation and or leisure; Up to 200 bays; 3 bays or 6% of total capacity whichever is greater. Over 200 bays; 4 bays plus 4% of total capacity. Best wishes CFT

Posted By Chris-A Thanks Charley, I was looking for that information as well. Best, Chris

Posted By Bunny It's not discrimination. Disabled people may have difficulty walking from free parking areas or using public transport and so need convenient access. It's not their fault if they are disabled and I'm sure if you asked them they would rather not be disabled and pay for their parking like everyone else. In fact I wish car parks would clamp down on those who use disabled parking bays when they are not disabled. A close family member was in a wheelchair and we used to get very cross when there were no disabled places available because abled bodied persons couldn't be bothered to walk a little bit further.

Posted By Bunny I am not missing the point. If the peraon wasn't disabled then they wouldn't be compelled to drive to areas where parking would normally be charged for. Furthermore, disabled people generally (though not always) will have less income due to their disabilities. I suppose you object to anything that is free for those less fortunate than yourself that you have to pay for. Bah humbug!!

Posted By Dave Wilson As a person who is in receipt of a 'blue badge' and a War Disability Pension I can categorily say that I would rather have my health back instead of my ailments and artificial joints. I would not wish this on anyone, it is necessary at times that persons who are disabled and do NOT have a choice as to their mode of transport, eg a 'Car' an able bodied person HAS the choice to walk,run,skate skateboard, skip, hop, cycle, bus, etc to get to the shops. some people can only walk as far as the car outside. In essence its about choice You ahev one a disabled person doesn't I know its a bit off thread but the DDA is a reality and in this so called civilised society we should be on the lookout to help those who are in need of that help and this legislation helps. maybe we should prevent all people who cannot drive to work from being employed and then all the able bodied people can get a job. what difference does it make to the tax payer, of which I am one, if there are free spaces for DDA use?

Posted By Martin R. Bessant As a disabled person who has multiple fairly serious medical conditions I am grateful when a disabled bay is provided. I no longer drive but my family use my "blue badge" when giving me lifts. This morning my son in law took me to Uxbridge and we parked in a disabled bay within a shopping centre. They do not provide free parking but you pay the standard rate. As the bay was close to the lifts I was very happy to pay the £1 charge for being able to park. I would much rather still be able to drive and pay my way but circumstances change and I wish I was still healthy and able to work! Martin.

Posted By Is Kismet Well said Martin, and my sentiments exactly. People with disabilities don't want charity, they want consideration. A paying car park space to comply with DDA provides just that. Abuse by able bodies persons is just that, and might be the subject of another discussion!

Posted By Bunny I still don't agree with you JAI but then I don't agree with most things you say on the forums. I still can't see the big deal with disabled parking spaces being provided free of charge. It's not charity it's just the right thing to do. I'm really quite shocked by the attitude of yourself and others on the subject but there is little point arguing when we all have our own opinions and are entitled to them. Sorry to Mark who's forum was somewhat hijacked by JAI's contentious question on a very emotive subject.

Posted By Martin R. Bessant Let me add a new dimension to this discussion. I am happy to pay for a place which is easily accessible but I do object that when I go to hospital for treatment, you have to pay rather large sums to park. At a large London hospital the other week, the going rate was £5.70 for up to three hours. That is fine if your appointment is on time but my Outpatient appointment was delayed by 40 minutes and I was waiting in total almost four hours. They are the type of parking that needs to be examined as there is often no alternative method apart from public transport with all the problems that causes. Martin.

Posted By Philip McAleenan For those that are interested the first Human Rights Treaty of the 21st century, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, has been adopted in New York and is expected to be adopted by the UN General Assembly during its next session, which starts in September. The convention aims to replace welfare and charity with new rights and freedoms. It seeks to ensure that negative stereotyping of people with disabilities are replaced with a universal recognition of all people having a contribution to make to society and guaranteeing a right to life on an equal basis. Regards, Philip

Posted By Crim In response to the Free parking point - I visited Keswick during June and parked in a public car park that had free parking for disabled but others had to pay. I got a ticket because I failed to display the blue time clock alongside the blue badge. I appealed but failed and had to pay £30.00. Does that make you feel any better?

Posted By JAI Thanks for the info Philip Ok People i am not going down this road again i asked why the parking was free thats all, i never insulted a disabled person and nor should i be for posting an opinion Crim i am not glad you had to pay a parking fine, in no way shape or form but if you had to pay for the parking like everyone else, you would not have recieved the fine in the first place!.