Apply for a disabled parking space

To qualify for a disabled parking space, you must:

• be a Blue Badge holder
• not be able to walk more than 20 metres 
• be a driver and keep a vehicle at the address where you want to have a disabled parking space
• get evidence from your doctor about your mobility issues
• have no available off-street parking space, or any way to make an off-street parking space (that is, you must not have a garage, drive or any other space that could be made into a parking space)
• be finding it increasingly difficult to find a parking space near your home
• live in a property where there are currently no parking restrictions on the public road outside

There must be enough space outside your property to put a disabled parking space, without causing danger to other road users.

If your disabled parking space will overlap the front of a property next door, we may speak to your neighbours when making our decision.

We will also speak with the police when working on your request.

If you are given a disabled parking space, you must display your Blue Badge in your vehicle at all times when it is parked in the space.

There are 2 types of disabled parking spaces:

Formal disabled parking spaces in commercial areas are clearly marked with signs and road markings.

They are normally found in town or village centres and may be restricted in use by a time limit, where there is high demand for kerb side parking and other waiting restrictions such as yellow lines.

Formal disabled parking bays in residential areas usually only have road markings, not traffic signs and the disabled parking space can be used by any Blue Badge holder - they are not only for your use.

They are available free of change, and are used to help Blue Badge holders park near their home.

• all disabled parking restrictions need to be added to a traffic regulation order (TRO), so that enforcement can ensure that disabled spaces are only used by valid disabled badge holders. This adds time to the application process, as we are legally required to undertake a public consultation which results in no objections to the restriction.
• we only consider formal disabled parking spaces when we are making a wider review of parking restrictions in a specific area
• due to the substantial costs involved, your request will be added to the next group of restrictions being considered in your area which can take up to 18 months.

If we decide that you can have a disabled parking space, your must ask your GP (doctor) to send us confirmation of your limited mobility. Some doctors may charge for this service.

We will need your GP to:

• confirm you have a Blue Badge
• give details on your mobility issues

We will ask you to get this evidence from your GP and send it to us.