SECTION FIVE EXAMPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE
Here are three examples of how service providers from different sectors have tackled the misuse of off-street parking for customers with disabilities:
Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, NHS Tayside, Dundee
Ninewells Hospital faced several issues in relation to the car park. Notably there was severe pressure on parking which was worsened by people unrelated to the hospital parking in the car park all day. There was a suspicion that some people were using Blue Badges fraudulently in order to have free parking and park in bays reserved for disabled people.
MEASURES IMPLEMENTED
After considerable consultation, Ninewells Hospital introduced charging as a measure to control the use of the car park. The following rates were introduced: £1.60 for up to four hours, £5.00 for four to seven hours and £7.00 for over seven hours. Any patient who stays over the four-hour period due to clinical needs is not expected to pay more than £1.60. The private parking provider paid for all the Pay and Display signs and ticket machines. They were installed and located according to DDA guidance and advice from Capability Scotland.
The charges aimed to deter people from parking at the hospital all day and it was decided that everyone, including disabled people, should be charged. The decision to charge was based on the premise that reserved parking bays are about access for disabled people, not about free parking for disabled people. It was also decided that a proportion of the money raised from charging would go towards funding special permits for free parking for certain patients ( e.g. those on renal dialysis, nuclear medicine treatment, cancer patients and neo-natal compassionate permits) and a shopmobility scooter service for disabled people.
EFFECT
- Reduction in the number of complaints from disabled people regarding problems accessing the hospital. Disabled people welcome the measure because trips to the hospital are much easier.
- The introduction of variable rate charging in car parks near the entrance has taken away the incentive of using a Blue Badge fraudulently as the person does not qualify for free parking.
- It is anticipated that there will be 100 people who park free each day, who may not qualify for a Blue Badge but whose needs are such that they require regular access to hospital.
- Feedback from the outpatient clinic indicates that there are far fewer missed appointments which results in financial savings as the appointments do not need to be rescheduled. The reduction in "no shows" will ultimately improve the hospital's place in performance tables.
REASONS FOR SUCCESS
- Consultation with disability and access groups.
- Clear information and a well thought out strategy.
- Re-investing the funds in the facilities or to offer some categories of patients parking permits. In this way, the charging is not viewed as a money making scheme and is more likely to gain public acceptance.
Contact for more information
Brian Main
Telephone: 01382 660 111
Email: brianmain@nhs.net
Edinburgh Municipal Car Parks, run by National Car Parks Ltd
National Car Parks Ltd ( NCP) operates seven car parks on behalf of Edinburgh City Council. There is little misuse reported at these car parks (in particular the Castle Terrace car park), which is due to a number of factors, such as car park design, maintenance and the enforcement measures in place.
MEASURES IMPLEMENTED
NCP has implemented a variety of measures for the benefit of all their customers. NCP charges all customers to use the car parks, which are protected by a barrier system. NCP has parking attendants who patrol the car parks 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The parking attendants have a number of roles: assisting customers to find an appropriate parking place, checking that people have bought a ticket and are parked appropriately, and providing security. If a person without a Blue Badge is found parking in a bay reserved for a disabled person, they will at first be requested to move from the bay. If the driver is not present or should they refuse to move, a Penalty Charge Notice ( PCN) will be issued.
EFFECT
There is little report of misuse of bays reserved for disabled people at the car park. The site manager reports that he receives virtually no complaints from disabled people who are dissatisfied with the service.
REASONS FOR SUCCESS
- Physical presence of parking attendant (whose kiosk is located next to the bays reserved for disabled people) acts as a deterrent to parking abuse.
- Combination of measures in place: barrier system at car park entrance, clear signage, physical presence of wardens and the issue of PCNs.
- The car parks are monitored by CCTV cameras and parking attendants are constantly present (24 hours a day, seven days a week).
- The car parks are well maintained and parking spaces are nearly always available; the parking attendant will also assist motorists with finding a space.
CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION
Paul Dyche
Telephone: 0131 229 2870
Email: paul.dyche@ncp.co.uk
ASDA Supermarkets
MEASURES IMPLEMENTED
ASDA has implemented a segregated Blue Badge parking area at five ASDA stores in conjunction with automatic number plate recognition ( ANPR) camera technology and an automatic barrier. Disabled customers register their details, including car registration number, with the ASDA store. When a vehicle tries to enter the segregated area, the registration number is read by the ANPR camera technology and checked next to the database of those registered. The barrier will only rise and allow the vehicle to enter the reserved parking area if the car is registered. In addition to the segregated area, there are standard disabled person's parking bays which provide parking facilities for passing or unregistered visitors.
EFFECT
The barrier system physically stops unauthorised vehicles from misusing reserved bays. The measure has generally been well received by disabled people and around 6,000 disabled people have registered at the five stores. There is the potential for the information to be shared between the stores as the number of locations with ANPR controlled barriers increases. The long term aim is to extend the barrier system to as many stores as possible.