Residential Disabled Parking Bay (RDPB) Policy

Application procedure

Timescales

To keep the cost to the applicant free, a budget has been created to cover 50 new bays per year. Any applications over this:

  • the applicant will be advised, and
  • their application will roll over into the next available budget

Disabled parking bay applications are processed twice each year. This gives two 6-month application windows for residents to apply.

  • Window 1 - 1 February to 31 July
  • Window 2 - 1 August to 31 January

From the closing of an application window, it then takes around 6 months to introduce a disabled parking bay. These times may be subject to change and/or delay as we must follow both our:

  • decision making process
  • legal requirements

However, if an applicant does not want to wait and be included in one of the batch processes, they can apply out of the batch schedule. To do this, they will need to meet the full cost for:

  • an individual Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), and
  • the marking and signing of a bay

This process takes a minimum of 3 to 6 months to implement. Where possible, we will aim to reduce this.

The current fees and charges for an individual RDPB can be found on our fees and charges document. These fees are subject to review and therefore change from time to time.

Application process

There are a number of steps for the approval of a new disabled parking bay for drivers with disabilities:

  1. Applying
  2. Application review
  3. Site review
  4. TRO consultation
  5. Installing of a parking bay

Applying

Before making an application, the applicant must in all cases meet the necessary criteria.

Visit our Disabled Parking Bays page for more information and to apply.

Supporting evidence required when applying

An applicant will need to provide evidence with their application: An application will not be processed without them.

  • proof of The Higher Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance/ or PIP and/or The Higher Rate Attendance Allowance
  • a copy of both sides of your blue badge
  • proof of address (dated within 3 months of the application)

Acceptable proof of address documents include:

  • a full driver's licence
  • tenancy agreement (if applicable)
  • bank statements (redacted)
  • Solicitor's letter (new residents only)
  • utility bills, such as electricity, gas, or water (Council tax and mobile phone bills are not accepted)
  • benefit letters - Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

For the driver of the vehicle, they must provide copies of:

  • the vehicle registration document (V5C) to confirm the car is registered at the same address
  • a copy of their car insurance certificate (to include full address of property)

Application review

Applications and supporting documentation are reviewed to confirm that they:

  • meet the criteria for the installation, and
  • that all supporting documents have been provided and are valid

Once it has been confirmed that all the criteria has been met, a site review is scheduled.

If there are outstanding documents, your application and any further review of the application will be delayed. It will only resume once these have been provided.

Site review

Once all the criteria have been met and all relevant documents have been verified, a review will be undertaken to confirm:

  • the Applicant's property has:
    • no off-street parking facility
    • no opportunity to create an off-street parking facility with enough space for the Blue Badge holder to be able to enter and exit their vehicle
  • no existing waiting restrictions are operational at the location
  • if existing restriction cannot be removed for traffic or safety reasons (e.g. waiting bay, clearway/no stopping)
  • there are no double yellow lines
  • the bay will not be located opposite or within 10 meters of a junction or a bend
  • close proximity to junctions or roundabouts, where visibility may be affected
  • there are no other safety or street furniture issues to be considered which would impact easy access to the applicant's bay (e.g. trees, lighting columns, posts, bollards, etc.)
  • if there is a grass verge, the inspector will assess:
    • will the applicant be able to easily access if there is a verge?
    • are there paving slabs or a crossing point they can use?
    • without paving slabs or a crossing point would it involve construction work which is not within the remit of the parking bay service?
  • whether the bay would put you or other road users in danger or block a turning point in the road
  • would the bay be located on land which is not under our control

The application will then progress if:

  • there are no adverse issues identified during the review, and
  • all criteria have been met

If the application is approved

If an application is successful, the applicant is advised that:

  • we will progress with the application, and
  • the TRO process will need to be completed before the installation of the bay

There are two elements to the installation of a disabled parking bay:

  1. the creation of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO)
  2. the marking and signage for the bay

If the application is rejected

We will not be able to install a parking bay.

If an application for a disabled parking bay is refused, the applicant has the right to one appeal. This occurs when they are dissatisfied with the outcome.

Appeal process

  1. The applicant receives a refusal notice explaining the reasons for rejection. If they believe relevant personal or property-related factors were overlooked and justify an exception to our procedures, they may appeal by contacting Highways Queries via email for one appeal.
  2. The appeal should include any information that the applicant wants to be taken into consideration
  3. The Traffic and Parking Team will acknowledge receipt of the appeal. Each appeal is investigated on a case-by-case basis and the team will try to complete within a further 20 working days from receipt.

If an applicant believes the appeals process and policy were not followed properly, they can:

If the application is rejected, and the appeal is unsuccessful, re-applications will not be considered unless there is a significant change in:

  • mobility, and or
  • residency

TRO consultation

On approval, an application will progress to the TRO stage. Due to the statutory TRO process. In line with the law, we must carry out a public consultation before any bay can be implemented. This gives people the opportunity to:

  • comment on the implementation of the bay
  • object to the implementation of the bay

Once the consultation has ended, a final decision can be made on the application. The final decision is made by following our decision-making process.

At this point and depending on valid objections to the TRO an application for a RDPB can still be rejected. It is important to note that this is unlikely.

Installation of a parking bay

On completion of the TRO stage and the TRO has been put in place (sealed)

The installation of the bay will be assigned to our contractors:

  • on completion of the TRO stage, and
  • once the TRO has been put in place (sealed)

This involves:

  • the marking of the bay (the white lining and lettering on the road surface)
  • the signing of the bay (the installation of signposts and signs showing the bay is for Blue Badge holders only)

The task of signing will require our assigned contractor to obtain a Streetworks permit before the works can start. This means it could take 2 to 3 months from the date of the TRO being sealed before a bay is fully installed. Where possible, we will aim to reduce this.

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