Parking guidance for new developments

Many people with reduced mobility are dependent on cars for getting around. Therefore, when developers make plans, blue badge parking should be a priority.

The positioning of blue badge parking is critical if it is to serve its purpose successfully and help blue badge users to access services independently. Blue badge parking should be located within 50 metres of the entrance of the service it is provided for, on firm, level ground, in well-lit areas. If the distance between the parking facility and the entrance is (unavoidably) greater than 50 metres, no more than 50 metres should be uncovered.

Where ramps are used to provide level access it is important to consider that these can be difficult to negotiate for some ambulant disabled people. Therefore, it may be appropriate to provide ramps alongside alternatives such as steps.

If all blue badge parking spaces cannot be located immediately next to an entrance, developers should consider distinguishing ‘high priority’ blue badge holders (such as those with a ‘nil value tax disc’). Spaces closest to the entrance could be reserved for ‘high priority’ blue badge holders’ whose needs are most acute.

The route between the parking facility and the service should be direct and suitable for wheelchairs and those with limited mobility, with no steps, bollards, or heavy doors. Developers should be aware of the impacts of glare on people with visual impairments, particularly where there are bright or shiny surfaces.

In multi-storey car parks blue badge parking should be on the same level as pedestrian access, or positioned close to a lift with wheelchair access. Where possible, blue badge parking should be located where it allows people to do a number of things at once and access facilities such as accessible toilets. In all cases, blue badge parking should be positioned to protect users from moving traffic.

The marking of blue badge parking is also vital to ensure spaces are clearly visible. In car parks, blue badge parking should be clearly sign posted from the entrance, and the spaces themselves clearly labelled with a sign at eye level, a yellow wheelchair symbol within the space, and areas between the bays hatched in yellow. Signage should indicate the distance between the parking spaces and nearby facilities.

Where machines with audio capabilities (such as ticket machines and entrance and exit gates) are present, a loop system should be in place to help users with limited hearing to use these. Table 12 sets out recommendations for the number of blue badge parking spaces, and Table 13 sets out recommendations for the size of blue badge spaces.

Both tables set out minimum recommendations; however, additional needs may be identified for specific developments and it is important that blue badge parking is monitored regularly to ensure the needs of people with disabilities are being met.

Where sufficient demand is likely developers should also consider providing areas to park and lock mobility scooters, particularly in large developments such as shopping complexes.

All decimals should be rounded up to the nearest whole space. More spaces may be required for certain land uses (such as doctor’s surgeries) than the standards set out above.

In residential areas where on street parking is limited, consideration will be given to residents with disabilities. In order to apply for an additional blue badge parking space (a marked bay), the following requirements must be met:

• applicants must hold a current valid blue badge
• there should be no suitable off-street parking available (such as drive or garage)
• the vehicle should be registered to the badge holder’s address
• the positioning of the parking space must be safe. The vehicle parked must not cause obstruction (for example there must be sufficient road width for emergency vehicles to pass, the location must be at least 10m from a junction, and the area must not be intended as a turning space)

Initially bays may be used by any badge holder. However, if non-blue badge holder parking persists within the marked bay, a formal TRO will be considered. Hospital car parking is considered on a case-by-case basis through negotiation between local authorities, health trusts, and staff and patient groups. This should include consideration of existing issues, neighbouring areas, time variations and the demands from all potential users.

The following dimensions are based on the current district parking standards, and the recommendations set out in the Traffic Advisory Leaflet 5/95 (DfT, 1995).