Providing disabled parking bay markings for disabled
residents that require access to their property.
There are two types of disabled driver's bays:
Formal bay with signs
Usually in town/village centres where waiting restrictions
(yellow lines) exist. A Traffic Regulation Order
(TRO) is required to enable enforcement (by the
Police). They are only considered when a review of waiting
restrictions takes place in the area, normally every 3-5 years.
TRO's usually take at least 12 months to implement.
Advisory bay with road markings only
Applied in residential areas and because they are only advisory,
there is no need to go through the lengthy TRO procedure. Although
they cannot be enforced, residents usually respect them.
Disabled parking bays (formal or advisory) are a facility for
disabled people and all disabled car users are allowed to park
within them - they are not for the sole use of an individual.
Advisory disabled bays do not formally restrict other vehicles from
parking in them but drivers normally respect the need to keep them
clear. A valid disabled badge must be displayed while
the vehicle is in the bay.
Note: applications for advisory disabled
parking bays within Ipswich are dealt with by Ipswich Borough
Council - please contact IBC Transport and Parking on 01473
432824.
Trunk roads are not managed by Suffolk County Council.
To qualify for an advisory bay:
The guidelines that Suffolk County Council work to are that:
- applicant's mobility is dependent on having a vehicle directly
outside their property;
- applicant needs to be a disabled badge holder who cannot walk a
short distance (20 metres or so) without extreme difficulty;
- a bay will not normally be provided if the applicant does not
drive, unless the carer also has mobility problems;
- applicant is a car owner/driver, or live with a car
owner/driver;
- written supporting evidence by a doctor/occupational therapist
will be required for the disabled badge holder (and carer where
appropriate);
- the applicant has no off-street parking available or the
possibility of providing it.
If these conditions are met, Suffolk County Council will
normally be able to provide a marking provided there are no
unresolved concerns from consultees or road safety issues.
The Council will write to neighbours in the vicinity informing them
that a bay is to be installed.
It will not be possible to provide an advisory marking
where:
- the police object
- there are other legal restrictions on parking such as yellow
lines; or
- they may adversely affect road safety.
If the land where a marking is required is not on a public road,
assessment/provision is not the responsibility of Suffolk County
Council and would have to be agreed and funded by the
landowner.
How do I apply for a bay?
You can download
the
Disabled Advisory Parking Bay application form or contact
our Customer
Service Centre. The applicant will need to provide written
support from a medical practitioner or occupational therapist (some
doctors may charge for this). The completed form and
supporting evidence should be sent to our
Customer Service
Centre. A Suffolk County Council engineer will assess the site
for road safety implications etc., and consult with interested
parties.
Consultation
Consultations will be necessary with parish/town councils, the
Police and any affected residents.
The applicant will be notified of the outcome. If the
application is approved, Suffolk County Council will arrange for
the marking to be laid free of charge. To minimise costs the
work will be done when the County Council's contractor is next in
the area.
If for any reason the bay is no longer necessary the applicant
should inform Suffolk County Council so that removal can take
place.
Frequently asked questions:
Can I have a marking if I have frequent ambulance
visits?
No. The markings are only intended to provide a parking space
for the disabled person's own vehicle.
What parking concessions do I get with my blue
badge?
Blue Badge holders may park with a badge and
clock displayed for up to 3 hours on a single or double yellow line
(as long as no loading restrictions are in force). The clock must
be set to show the time of arrival. Badge holders may park with the
badge only displayed without time limit at pay and display-parking
bays (free of charge) and without time limit on a designated
on-street accessible parking bay.