Apply for a disabled parking space
You can apply for a disabled parking space on a public road for:
- yourself
- someone else in your household
You cannot apply for a disabled parking space for visitors or carers.
What happens after you apply
We'll review your application and write to you when we've made a decision.
If your application is approved, the next step is public consultation. If we do not receive any objections (that cannot be overruled), we'll place the disabled bay near your property when we next carry out parking works in your area.
The disabled bay is not for your use only. It will be available for any Blue Badge holder to use as long as they're displaying their badge.
To qualify for a disabled parking space, you must be:
- a Blue Badge holder
- unable to walk more than 20 metres
- a driver who keeps a vehicle at the address where you want the disabled parking space
We can only issue a disabled parking space if you:
- have no available off-street parking space or any way to make the space (for example, a garage, drive or any other space that could be used)
- are 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
- have enough space outside your property to put a disabled parking space without causing danger to other road users
- have evidence from your doctor about your mobility issues
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:
1. Formal disabled parking bay in commercial areas
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.
2. Formal disabled parking bays in residential areas
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 charge and are used to help Blue Badge holders park near their home.
When applying for both types of formal disabled parking space, you must remember that:
We add all disabled parking restrictions to a traffic regulation order (TRO), so we 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 that receives no objections.
We only consider formal disabled parking spaces when we are making a wider review of parking restrictions in a specific area
Your request will be added to the next group of restrictions being considered in your area, which can take up to 18 months.
If your application is approved, your must ask your GP (doctor) to send us confirmation of your limited mobility.
Some doctors may charge for this service.
Your GP will need to:
- confirm that you have a Blue Badge
- give us details about your mobility issues
Contact the parking team
If you have a question about disabled parking spaces that is not answered on this page, you can contact us for help.