ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This booklet provides advice for providers of off-street and private car parks in Scotland on the most effective means of ensuring that reserved parking spaces remain available for use by people with disabilities. It is based on findings from research commissioned by the Scottish Government.
Taking steps to prevent the abuse of these bays is important, since they are provided to enable people with disabilities to park close to a service or facility. If they find that a parking space is not available within a manageable distance, then access to that service or facility is denied. From the service provider's point of view, ensuring that people with disabilities have access to their service is a requirement under Disability Discrimination and Disability Equality legislation. It is not enough to simply provide reserved parking spaces for people with disabilities - service providers have a duty to take steps to ensure that such facilities remain reserved for the people who really need them.
These guidelines focus on off-street reserved parking bays, including those provided in municipal car parks, at railway stations, transport interchanges, supermarkets, shopping precincts, hospitals, and so on. The document highlights factors that influence the misuse of reserved parking bays, the groups who misuse them, and what measures can be applied to tackle the problem.
WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT:
- Section 1 provides background information on the need to monitor off-street reserved parking and on the legal situation.
- Sections 2 and 3 outline the results of research into the reasons why non-disabled people use reserved parking bays and a description of the types of abusers.
- Section 4 describes different enforcement and prevention measures.
- Section 5 provides some examples of good practice within Scotland.
- Sections 6 and 7 include an action plan for car park providers.
- Section 8 contains sources of useful information and contacts.