I am a registered disabled driver and have recently been fined £100 for parking in a disabled bay in Croydon. I was parked appropriately with my two disabled badges clearly and correctly displayed - and well within time limits.
I was parked on a single yellow line which indicated loading restrictions.
If these are not in place (ie outside non-loading' time limits) I am permitted to park as a disabled driver anywhere on the single line providing everything is correctly displayed.
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If the loading time limits are in place, I am not permitted to park. On this occasion, time limits were in place so I would not normally be permitted to park.
However, I actually parked within a clearly marked disabled bay' so I assumed I was parked legally. Apparently not.
The loading restrictions take precedence over the disabled bay. So what is the value of the disabled bay?
If loading restrictions are not in place I don't need a bay in which to park.
If they are in place apparently I can't park there. After a long delay and several telephone conversations with people who did not understand my point I was finally told that the bay would help me if the whole single line (100+ yards) was full of people loading heavy wardrobes (their words) I would be able to use the bay.
My estimate is that this would be about 40 cars or vans.
It seems an unnecessary use of council tax funds to send out employees to paint white lines and disabled bays in case 40 car or van holders choose to load their vehicles at the same time - albeit for a legal maximum stay of 20 minutes.
I have now paid the fine or it would have been increased under the well respected threat of Russian Roulette - don't pay it now and it will be increased. I thought other disabled drivers should be warned.
Firstly, Mr.Parsons, I'd like to say you have my sympathy in banging heads with the local jobsworths.
Secondly, with respect, you miss the point of these obscure, opaque, and arbitrary rules and regulations, which have nothing to do with ensuring the availability of parking spaces - either for the unloading of vehicles [italic]or[/italic] for the disabled - but have everything to do with making money.
Yes, "They may be out to catch you", but might not that be their [italic]purpose[/italic]?
Firstly, Mr.Parsons, I'd like to say you have my sympathy in banging heads with the local jobsworths.
Secondly, with respect, you miss the point of these obscure, opaque, and arbitrary rules and regulations, which have nothing to do with ensuring the availability of parking spaces - either for the unloading of vehicles or for the disabled - but have everything to do with making money.
Yes, "They may be out to catch you", but might not that be their purpose?
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