Should there be more disabled spaces now?

[squizzler]

At the present time it makes sense for those with suppressed immune systems to try motoring as a means to avoid getting this coronavirus as well as freeing up space on the transport systems. This being the case, they will need to ditch their rides upon reaching their destination.

Should there be a wider entitlement for motorists to use disability spaces to include those with weak immune systems? This would require more disabled bays. There is a thrust to also make hidden disabilities count, so there number of such spaces would increase further. Should there be emergency legislation to require space in existing car parks to be reallocated to disabled?

Such a move would result in a reduction of the number of non-disabled bays, of course. This would optimise the people's choice of mobility, as the able bodied and minded would be pushed to bikes or public transport unless they specifically needed a car for their trip.

 

[DelayRepay]

At my local store, there are fewer disabled bays than normal as the section of the car park nearest to the door is being used for queuing.

But I think having to wait in a queue (possibly in the rain) is a bigger barrier to disabled customers than potentially having to park in a different space (accepting that not all disabilities are equal). I think they should convert parent and child spaces into disabled spaces, given they're already the correct width, usually near the door, and there should be fewer children at the shops at the moment (accepting that some parents don't have a choice).

 

[squizzler]

I presume those with a blue badge would not be penalised for ditching the motor in a 'parent and child' space if their usual places are occupied.

I think that there might be a special pass for those perceived to be immunologically weak (an also for old farts) to park in disabled spaces during the crisis. Afterwards, rather than get rid of all the necessary extra disabled parking, some should be retained after any covid as the scheme expands to hidden disabilities (autism and so forth).

Now that we are past the peak, the strong should walk, bike and go on the busses again.

 

[Scrotnig]

I'm afraid the government no longer cares about disabled people, since their condition was not caused by the virus.

I agree with the original premise though, there should be more disabled spaces and repurposing some of the parent/child spaces seems the obvious solution. Won't happen though.

 

[underbank]

I certainly think the blue badge scheme should be extended to included those on the "most vulnerable" list.

 

[Busaholic]

I presume those with a blue badge would not be penalised for ditching the motor in a 'parent and child' space if their usual places are occupied.

They well might: some of the people involved in the trade, who DON'T work for the supermarket so couldn't care less about losing that customer's trade, will make no allowances whatever for circumstances, being on a commission or bonus as most of them are. I should know!

 

[30907]

I certainly think the blue badge scheme should be extended to included those on the "most vulnerable" list.

You mean those of us who are only leaving home (and only since last week) to take exercise? I wouldn't want to go anywhere that was so busy that I needed to rely on getting a blue badge space.

 

[Busaholic]

You mean those of us who are only leaving home (and only since last week) to take exercise? I wouldn't want to go anywhere that was so busy that I needed to rely on getting a blue badge space.

There are some supermarkets, and other stores on retail parks, that have blue badge spaces close to their entrance, but those spaces are now closed off so that queuing becomes easier. Those of us who need the spaces as much for the extra room to access the car as the distance from store are then doubly penalised. I try to avoid those stores.

 

[30907]

There are some supermarkets, and other stores on retail parks, that have blue badge spaces close to their entrance, but those spaces are now closed off so that queuing becomes easier. Those of us who need the spaces as much for the extra room to access the car as the distance from store are then doubly penalised. I try to avoid those stores.

Yes, I appreciate that, but blue badge holders and extremely vulnerable (shielding) are different (overlapping) groups and the latter aren't (supposedly) visiting retail parks.