Blue Badge Challenge

[lolamylo]

Hi Enjoy reading everyone's contribution. I have suffered from RA disease for 8 years and for the last 4 years Psoriatic Arthritis has joined force! Unfortunately, no drug combo has controlled and disease has always been 'Active'. I am lucky enough to have a Blue Badge and it has been a life saver!!

However, I am taking a trip by train for a few days as I can no longer drive long distance and will be utilising disabled bay parking at the Rail Station and have to display my badge. (the parking at the station is busy and getting a non disabled space at the time I will be travelling will be too late as it is normally full by 6am) I had planned to hire a car at my destination but realised that I will need my badge too! I contacted my local authority who advised you can only have 1 blue badge despite my circumstances.

I just can't figure out a way round this It does seem the Blue Badge system needs an overhaul. This makes it impossible to travel with ease and instead of what would be a lovely time, I am now stressing out. I feel this is discrimination and wondered what others think?

[Hidden]

You have raised a very interesting point for people that need to use the car train car scenario to go to work.

[Smiler53]

Would it be possible for you to have a taxi/dial-a-ride to the station and take your blue badge with you to use the other end perhaps?

[lolamylo in reply to Smiler53]

Thanks for the suggestion but I live about 22 miles from the station and it would be around £80 plus round trip for a taxi!

[Smiler53 in reply to lolamylo]

That does put a different slant on it doesn't it? Hope that you can find a solution, so frustrating for you.

[helixhelix]

Take a photocopy of your blue badge, and write in big capital letters something like....

this is a hire car due to your own car and original blue badge having been (insert small white lie perhaps....taken away/stolen) .

It's still a risk, but perhaps a smaller one?

[PFKAAde in reply to helixhelix]

And to add to that maybe contact whoever manages the car park at the local station and explain to them the situation and that you are planning on leaving a photocopy / note?

Given how pedantic parking management companies can be it might not work, but worth a go?

Or alternatively park legally close to the station and get a taxi / Uber the last mile or so.

That’s me done!

🙏🏻

[helixhelix in reply to PFKAAde]

I think the taxi for last bit to station is a great idea!

[PFKAAde in reply to helixhelix]

Why thank you 😊

My mum has to attend her local brand new hospital quite regularly (Parkinson’s and a broken hip) and being brand new it obviously doesn’t have enough parking, leading to it taking an hour to find a spot etc.

This is what I suggested to her, so she drives (when she can) to a street near the hospital and calls a cab. Costs about the same as the parking charges would be, or a little bit more.

I have managed to persuade her that she can’t take it with her so spending money on taxis is perfectly valid if it helps you get where you need to go (my mum’s generation didn’t really do taxis like some of us do).

🙏🏻

[lolamylo in reply to PFKAAde]

Not being pedantic, unfortunately, all streets around the station are permit holder parking and parking in Milton Keynes is difficult at best. My return journey gets me back pretty late and I would feel really vulnerable be reluctant to be left at my car by a taxi late at night! I think your Mum's situation is different and I appreciate how difficult it is to park at hospital despite having a blue badge!

[PFKAAde in reply to lolamylo]

Not at all, completely understand.

I wonder if there’s somewhere suitable though, I don’t know Milton Keynes that well but there must be somewhere lit up and not residential within a couple of miles. Even a pub car-Park for example, which will also have people milling around it until >11pm. Not many pubs monitor their car parks and it doesn’t have to be right next to the station or even ‘in’ MK (a few miles in a cab particularly an Uber isn’t ‘that’ much).

Other than that I’m a bit stuck, and do agree that it is a bit of a loophole so to speak. I’ve never had to drive - train - drive, but I guess a similar situation could occur if going abroad and parking before you go.

I hope you find a way.

🙏🏻

[helixhelix in reply to PFKAAde]

My mum was a nightmare about taxis. We finally put our collective feet down when she collapsed at the bus stop one day (luckily opposite a friend's house). Mind you I have sort of inherited the trait and it's v v rare that I think it permissable.

[PFKAAde in reply to helixhelix]

I would even persuade her (my mum with the PD and associated symptoms) to sell her car, work out the annual cost of running it — and spend that on taxis without worrying about it. Only problem is she drives 20 miles to visit me (well, my children 😉) which would bump up the cost a bit.

I’d imagine if she just used one for the local stuff she does (and maybe got a mobility scooter for popping to the shop) it wouldn’t cost much, if any, more than the cost of running her car.

But then I can imagine it is quite difficult to give up the perceived independence that a car allows.

When the time comes though...

[Leics]

If you’re hiring a car at the destination ask the car hire company if they have a corporate blue badge. Some organisations are permitted to allow disabled ‘blue badge holders to use them. Worth an ask otherwise I would leave your badge in your car in the morning and just hope you can park at your destination. I use the train very often much better than being in a car for me. Good luck hope you sort it.