Latest news with #ChargeNotices
Daily Record
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
New Blue Badge parking space finder to help millions of people across UK
More than 3.2 million Blue Badge holders across the UK can now use a new online tool to help them find a free, designated parking bay anywhere in Scotland, England and Wales. New analysis by has revealed that for every Blue Badge parking bay there are 52 scheme users - travelling as a driver or a passenger - potentially competing for each space. While the chances of every Blue Badge holder trying to use all 63,000 parking spaces at the same time is unlikely to happen, the grim reality is that Blue Badge parking space s are not always available when someone needs to use one. To help permit holders find Blue Badge bays in any part of the country - particularly handy if you're travelling somewhere unfamiliar - has created an online tool to help people find them, just by entering a postcode. Blue Badge holders and parking bays across UK As of 2024, the number of Blue Badge spaces and permit holders across the UK, includes: Scotland Number of Blue Badge holders: 271,966 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 16,808 England Number of Blue Badge holders: 2,635,428 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 43,604 Wales Number of Blue Badge holders: 219,614 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 2,588 Northern Ireland Number of Blue Badge holders: 149,038 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: Not available When it comes to the number of Blue Badge spaces available for those who need them, it's also important to be aware of the growing number of people wrongly using the designated parking spot. There have been 705,310 PCNs (Penalty Charge Notices) distributed for the misuse of Blue Badge parking bays. Blue badges are designed to make life easier for people with mobility issues, but for many, finding a space can sometimes be tricky. A survey found that a third (36%) of Blue Badge holders said they have turned up somewhere needing to park, only to find someone without a Blue Badge already in the space. Around the same number (34%) said there simply aren't enough accessible spaces in their area. When there's no space available, two-thirds (65%) said they have had no choice but to park in a standard space. But that doesn't always work - especially when extra room is needed to get out of the car. Worryingly, two-in-five (40%) have even had to leave a car park altogether because there were no accessible bays free. A third (36%) said they have avoided visiting certain places because they weren't sure they'd be able to park nearby. In response to their findings, have created a look-up tool to help Blue Badge holders find out how many designated parking bays are available in their local council area. Users can also use the tool to look up Blue Badge spaces in their area using the map online here. Commenting on the findings, Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at car insurance, said: 'Blue Badge parking spaces are essential for millions of drivers across the UK, but our latest research shows how easily that system struggles. 'This is especially highlighted when there isn't enough availability, and other drivers take advantage of the spaces. Shockingly, for every one Blue Badge parking bay in the UK, there are 52 permit holders who need access to it. 'If you're using a Blue Badge space without needing one, even for just a few minutes, you could be stopping someone from being able to work, shop, or attend a medical appointment. It's clear that more needs to be done, both to increase the number of accessible bays and to prevent misuse. 'If you're caught using a Blue Badge space without a permit, you could receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) costing between £70 and £100.'
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Record
New Blue Badge parking warning to over three million users across the UK
There are currently over 3.2 million Blue Badge holders in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For every designated Blue Badge parking bay in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland there are currently 52 permit holders requiring access, warns after analysing new data obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests to UK councils. The data revealed there are currently over 3.2 million Blue Badge permit holders in the UK, in comparison with 63,000 designated Blue Badge parking bays. Due to rising demand for accessible parking, m has created an online tool to help people find the nearest one - whatever their location. That's as the rate of new applications for Blue Badge permits has increased by 31 per cent between 2022 and 2024. In total, 1.3m new applications were made between 2022 and 2024, on top of the 1.5m renewal applications also made for existing holders. research also found that of the 2.8m applications made between 2022 and 20249 for both new and renewals, 245,566 were rejected. These were recorded for several reasons, including: Blue Badge holders and parking bays across UK As of 2024, the number of Blue Badge spaces and permit holders across the UK, includes: Scotland Number of Blue Badge holders: 271,966 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 16,808 England Number of Blue Badge holders: 2,635,428 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 43,604 Wales Number of Blue Badge holders: 219,614 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 2,588 Northern Ireland Number of Blue Badge holders: 149,038 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: Not available When it comes to the number of Blue Badge spaces available for those who need them, it's also important to be aware of the growing number of people wrongly using the designated parking spot. There have been 705,310 PCNs (Penalty Charge Notices) distributed for the misuse of Blue Badge parking bays. Blue badges are designed to make life easier for people with mobility issues, but for many, finding a space can sometimes be tricky. A survey found that a third (36%) of Blue Badge holders said they have turned up somewhere needing to park, only to find someone without a Blue Badge already in the space. Around the same number (34%) said there simply aren't enough accessible spaces in their area. When there's no space available, two-thirds (65%) said they have had no choice but to park in a standard space. But that doesn't always work - especially when extra room is needed to get out of the car. Worryingly, two-in-five (40%) have even had to leave a car park altogether because there were no accessible bays free. A third (36%) said they have avoided visiting certain places because they weren't sure they'd be able to park nearby. In response to their findings, have created a look-up tool to help Blue Badge holders find out how many designated parking bays are available in their local council area. Users can also use the tool to look up Blue Badge spaces in their area using the map online here. Commenting on the findings, Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at car insurance, said: 'Blue Badge parking spaces are essential for millions of drivers across the UK, but our latest research shows how easily that system struggles. 'This is especially highlighted when there isn't enough availability, and other drivers take advantage of the spaces. Shockingly, for every one Blue Badge parking bay in the UK, there are 52 permit holders who need access to it. 'If you're using a Blue Badge space without needing one, even for just a few minutes, you could be stopping someone from being able to work, shop, or attend a medical appointment. It's clear that more needs to be done, both to increase the number of accessible bays and to prevent misuse. 'If you're caught using a Blue Badge space without a permit, you could receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) costing between £70 and £100.'
BBC News
20-02-2025
- BBC News
More than 1,000 drivers warned over Southampton traffic rules
More than 1,000 drivers have been sent warning notices after contravening a city centre traffic restriction. Southampton City Council said no Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) had yet been issued to drivers for driving through the restricted area for a second time.A bus, taxi and cycle-only trial began on 25 January on a section of Portswood Road in Southampton to improve air city's cabinet member for transport, councillor Eamonn Keogh, said there had been "improvements" to congestion and pedestrian footfall in the area since the trial began. The trial means only buses, taxis and cyclists are permitted to travel at certain hours between the junctions of St Denys Road spur and Westridge enforcement of the measures began on 10 February and, so far, 1,192 warning notices have been issued, according to the council. They confirmed there will be a period of "approximately two weeks" between a Warning Notice being activated and a PCN being issued. On their second contravention, drivers will receive a PCN of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days. Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, councillor Eamonn Keogh said the trial was having a positive effect. "Bus journey times during [the restricted hours] are improving, and pedestrian footfall on the High Street has risen compared to... a year ago", he said."That's got to be good for businesses and for people who want to enjoy a safe, accessible and practical district centre."Data released by the council via an independent report showed cycling and walking increased overall on Portswood Road and Thomas Lewis Way in January 2025 compared to January 2024. It also showed traffic had largely reduced overall between the same period, with an an overall rise in traffic northbound on Thomas Lewis Way where traffic is being diverted. 'Still concerns' Mr Keogh added the council had responded to concerns about congestion on nearby Brookvale Road by commissioning an "independent road safety audit" of active travel measures to begin on 24 added that he "recognised there were still concerns" from residents unhappy with the scheme. "Whenever you introduce a scheme of this nature - and it is a trial - there will be concerns."I think there has been an improvement [in] drivers understanding the restrictions... on Brookvale Road."He continued, "We are seeing continuous improvements, albeit there will still be concerns about how some drivers are travelling in that area."The council has said money received from Penalty Charge Notices will be used to pay for the upkeep and running of the camera surplus funds would be "reinvested into Southampton's transport network as set out in national legislation", it added. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Excel Parking: Five-minute rule firm must pay driver's expenses
A judge has ordered a car park operator to pay expenses - including for parking - to a man it "fined" for taking more than five minutes to Parking Services has sent numerous people £100 Parking Charge Notices (PCNs) for taking too long to pay at the Copeland Street car park in Barton - who took 19 minutes to pay because he could not find a suitable parking space - decided to challenge Excel by not paying the case was then heard at Derby County Court, where a judge dismissed it and ordered Excel Parking to pay him £19.50 to cover his travel expenses. This comprised of £15 mileage for driving to court and £4.50 to cover his parking while he was at the after the hearing, Mr Barton said: "Their so-called five-minute rule is ridiculous."It just needs people to stand up to it. If you've paid for parking you've paid for parking."Mr Barton was among numerous people who contacted the BBC following coverage about Rosey Hudson, who was asked to pay £1,906 for taking too long to pay on 10 occasions. Mr Barton parked at the same car park on 12 March 2024, entering at 11:20 GMT and exiting at 13: paid £2 in cash at the machine, which covered him for two hours of he told the court it took him about 15 minutes to find a suitable parking space and park, so 19 minutes had passed by the time he bought his Parking made a claim against him for breach of contract, because it has signs saying people must pay for parking within five minutes of entering the car Mr Barton argued he was not aware of this when he entered the car park. "In their code of practice it says you should be able to read the terms and conditions without having to exit the car," he told the court."The signs they have got on the entrance, the particular sign they have got showing the terms and conditions is on the passenger side of the car, it can't be read from the car."I wasn't aware of the terms and conditions until I went to the parking meter to pay, but it took me 19 minutes until I was able to park and pay, so I had obviously exceeded the five minutes you have to purchase a ticket."Mr Barton also said he had not read the particular term stating people must pay within five minutes."I didn't but even if I had read it, it was already too late," he said. Excel Parking Services had made a claim for the £100 PCN plus £70 the claim, Deputy District Judge Nathan Smith said the contract between Excel and Mr Barton "was not concluded until he read the terms and conditions next to the parking meter".This meant that it was not legally binding at the point he entered the car park."As such, it seems difficult to see how he could have been in breach of those terms and conditions before the contract was concluded," the judge BBC has asked Excel Parking for a comment but has not had a response. Following media reporting about Miss Hudson's case, the two trade organisations for private car park operators have said they are setting up a panel to oversee changes to their joint code of Hurley, chief executive of the International Parking Community (IPC), said: "The creation of the panel shows the commitment the industry has to improving the reputation of our sector."Andrew Pester, chief executive of the British Parking Association, said: "We want to demonstrate that not only are we serious about raising standards but also making decisive changes to the code when issues arise."However, some MPs are sceptical, and are calling on the government to introduce a statutory code of practice to protect drivers.
