3 June 2008
Motorists who abuse disabled parking bays can expect tough legal action if a bill launched by a Labour MSP becomes law.
Jackie Baillie MSP has today formally introduced her Member’s Bill in the Scottish Parliament to tackle the abuse of disabled parking bays.
The Disabled Persons’ Parking Places (Scotland) Bill has received wide spread support from a range of organisations including those promoting equal opportunities and disability rights. A petition in favour of the Bill and the positive impact it will have has gathered almost 3000 signatures.
There are an estimated one million disabled people resident in Scotland, of this 96,000 are registered wheelchair users and 223,995 are registered Blue Badge holders who will benefit from this Bill.
When passed, the Bill will make all existing disabled parking bays under the control of Local Authorities legally enforceable. At present, almost 85% of disabled parking bays are advisory and therefore anyone can park in them without the risk of being penalised. The Bill proposes that a fine of £30, rising to £60 after 14 days, will be applied to those who abuse disabled parking bays.
The Bill further requires local authorities to contact owners and/or operators of private car parks including supermarkets and out of town retail centres to negotiate an agreement which would make their disabled persons’ parking places enforceable.
In addition local authorities will be required to report annually to Scottish Ministers on the enforcement of disabled parking bays in their area.
Speaking at the introduction of the bill Jackie Baillie said:
“The abuse of a disabled parking bay has real consequences for someone who is disabled. Many disabled people feel that their rights are not respected and the sheer impact of being unable to use a bay is simply not understood.
“It is too often the case that disabled drivers are unable to find parking facilities either outside their own home or in their local high street to access essential services. Unfortunately, on many occasions it is a result of able bodied drivers abusing these spaces. The message was put simply, but powerfully to me at the start of the campaign: ‘If you want my disabled parking space, then please have my disability too.”
The Leader of Labour in Scottish Parliament, Wendy Alexander MSP, welcomed the introduction of the Bill.
“Any decent person knows it’s wrong when they see access to disabled car parking being abused by able-bodied drivers. It is very frustrating and we really need to do something about it because there are an awful lot of drivers who are elderly, infirm and disabled and need these spaces. My constituents have told me the problem has been getting worse and initiatives such as this bill by Jackie Baillie will be welcomed by disabled drivers throughout Scotland. It is only right that parking providers at supermarkets, shopping and leisure centres and the law ensure disabled spaces are available.
The Bill is backed by an Advisory Committee made up of representatives from COSLA, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, SPT, Inclusion Scotland and the Scottish Disability Forum.
SPT Chair Alistair Watson welcomed the bill, he said
“I fully support the Bill. Disabled persons’ parking needs to be protected to ensure appropriate access at all times. The bill will give a measure of enforcement which will defend that right. It’s the only way to stop the unacceptable abuse of the system by non-registered drivers.”
Cllr Alison Hay, COSLA Spokesperson for Regeneration and Sustainable Development:
“COSLA welcomes Jackie Baillie's bill on disabled parking. We look forward to further discussions on how government, local authorities and the businesses can work together to improve the provision of parking for blue badge holders. Disabled parking provision is key to ensuring that all our citizens have access to local services and amenities.”
Dr Ann Wilson, Convenor, Inclusion Scotland:
“Parking is a very important issue to disabled people and their families. Disabled people not only find that inconsiderate people ignore designated bays in shopping centres but they also prevent people from getting back into their own homes by parking in domestic bays.
“Those who abuse disabled people’s parking bays are not only being very rude but are denying us our right to go about our daily lives. The progress of Jackie Baillie’s Bill is the number one item that our members ask about and we are delighted to give her Bill our full support”
Morag Alexander, Scotland Commissioner for the Equality and Human Rights Commission:
“The Disabled Person’s Parking (Scotland) Bill is a straightforward and practical way to make a real difference to disabled people’s lives in Scotland. The Equality and Human Rights Commission knows that many disabled drivers are prevented from doing the most day-to-day activities – going to the shops, visiting friends – because of the inconsiderate abuse of disabled parking bays. The Commission worked closely with Jackie Baillie MSP in drawing up the bill – we congratulate her on its launch today and look forward to it receiving support from all sides of the Scottish Parliament.”
Liz Rowlett, Scottish Disability Equality Forum:
“SDEF is pleased to support this Bill that will mean improved access for disabled people. The current situation whereby disabled people are often prevented from carrying out day-to-day activities as a result of the abuse of designated spaces is unacceptable. It is hoped that by making marked bays enforceable, local authorities will take their responsibilities of actively promoting equality of opportunity more seriously and that businesses will respect more fully the needs of their customers. I hope that the proposed legislation will encourage those who thoughtlessly misuse marked bays to recognise that they are there for a reason and to change their behaviour.”
Jackie Baillie has also welcomed the initiatives by leading supermarkets and retail outlets to tackle the abuse of disabled parking bays:
“I would like to commend retailers like ASDA and Braehead shopping centre on their initiative to protect spaces reserved for disabled people, in anticipation of the bill. It is great to see action to make ensure that disabled parking spaces are available to those who need them.”
Notes to Editors:
- Consultation Paper on the Bill can be found on the Scottish Parliament website
- The members of the Advisory Committee are James Fowlie, CoSLA; Liz Rowlett, Scottish Disability Forum; Jim McLeod, Inclusion Scotland; Jackie Maceira; Cllr Alistair Watson, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Euan Page Equality Human Rights Commission.
For more information contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission on 07970541369