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External environments

5.15 Car parking

Off-street parking

The requirement for wider bays for disabled people is related to the overall number of parking spaces provided rather than the floor space of the building.

The level of provision differs slightly depending on the proposed use of the building but the following guidelines are recommended:

Shops and buildings to which the public have access and public car parks:

1 in the first 10 spaces should be allocated for disabled people

2 in the first 20 spaces should be allocated for disabled people

thereafter 1 in every 20 spaces should be allocated for disabled people.

Employment premises not normally visited by the public plus hotels open to residents only;

1 in the first 25 spaces should be allocated for disabled people

2 in the first 50 spaces should be allocated for disabled people

thereafter 1 in every 25 spaces should be allocated for disabled people.

Residential Parking Standards

In communal parking areas or residential developments designed for older people, 2 parking spaces for disabled people should be provided for every 25 spaces.

At residential developments for elderly people, 1 parking space for disabled people for every 10 spaces.

Siting and Identification

Spaces should be sited as close as possible, preferably within 50m, to the facilities served by the car park. The route from the reserved spaces to the facilities should be level, or at a gradient not exceeding 1 in 20, and if
possible, under cover. If ramps are necessary these should follow the recommendations in 6.2 Ramps.

In multi-storey car parks the spaces should be reserved on the ground floor or the level which gives access to the facilities served. Where this is not possible they should be near a lift which is fully usable by wheelchair users.

Spaces for Blue Badge holders should be clearly marked out in yellow paint and clearly signed on an end wall, fence, or post as reserved for disabled persons only. In car parks operated by the Local Authority the reserved spaces should be the subject of parking place orders and signed with road sign No 661 to make enforcement possible.

Concessions offered by the Blue Badge Scheme do not apply to off street car parks, but operators of those facilities can choose to recognise them. Should they choose to do so this policy must be clearly displayed by prominent notices, such as adjacent to the reserved spaces or the ticket machines and at the car park entrance. In cases where a ticket is issued on entry and payment made to an attendant on exit it is recommended that payment should not be waived as it could lead to difficulties with internal auditing. Ticket machines should be at a level accessible to those in wheelchairs.

Planning Authorities have powers to ensure that proposals which are granted planning permission make suitable provision in terms of access and car parking to meet the needs of disabled people. While this Fact Sheet recommends minimum numbers for reserved spaces, depending on use, these numbers may not be considered by the Planning Authority as being adequate for the proposal submitted. It is suggested therefore that for new proposals requiring planning permission early consultations take place with the Planning Authority to ensure that the needs of disabled people are satisfied.

Car parking Blue Badge scheme, Blue badge scheme exceptions, Enforcement

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