To stop the traffic at the station this morning ?

Well done GrannyTwice I admire your courage.

We get people parking very inconsiderately near us - we were told by the police NOT to put even a polite notice under their windscreen wipers (let alone a sticky one) or else we would be the ones in trouble!
At least one of them was embarrassed to move his car, GT - when I have politely asked people not to park in a place which makes it awkward for other road users to get past, I have had a mouthful (from school mothers in a not very disadvantaged area).

It is amazing, though, the number of people who seem to be able to drive, hold down a job but not be able to read and are oblivious to other road users.

the whole human race does not intentionally break posted rules and regs- only a small % . Maybe 1% ?? Any guesses as to the %?

Yes. But! If you "put the effort in" by complaining to the relevant people, you might get the situation resolved permanently, and that would benefit other BB holders as well as you.

amarmai wtf

Jingle Dream on! What planet are you on!
It needs more than a few complaints to the" relevant people "to change this situation. There will always be someone who will try it on by parking in a disabled parking space if there's a gap, s its only "just for a moment" because they CBA to walk a little way to get to where they want to be.

Quite often you see drivers in Disabled parking spaces who leave the badge holder in the car when they go into a shop or such and that is a misuse of the terms of holding a BB.

There needs to be more serious consequences for those who misuse disabled parking spaces.

You are describing the case of someone who is a disabled parking badge holder staying in the car so that whoever is with them in the car, but who is not disabled, can cheat. In such a scenario the disabled person is cheating too. This puts other, noncheating disabled people in a bad light and reduces people's 'faith' in those blue badges. Any disabled person who cheats like this is not helping herself or any others.

I expect would like to think such happenings are rare.

At one time my work manager was in charge of appeals about blue badges . One appeal from a parent was that his 11 yr old son was very deaf (no significant mobility issues.)

His father was arguing that because the lad could not hear traffic he would be particularly at risk when trying to cross a busy road and needed a BB so he could park near to where he was trying to get to.
This was an interesting question.

IMO that boy in particular needed to learn a lot of extra skills for crossing roads with his lack of hearing and his parents should be teaching him these skills regularly not trying to protect him from the situation. If this was not done that child would have been even more at risk when trying to leading an independent life. I never did find out the outcome of that one but I would have refused.

There is a trade in stolen BBs.

Ok - part two. One space left this morning - other two spaces taken by station taxis whilst drivers had coffee outside kiosk. Went up to them and explained that they should move. Went to ticket office to complain and buy ticket. Have got official form to complain but he said he would tell the station manager ( who of course is never at the station) and even have a word with BT police. I then went outside several minutes later and they were still there drinking their coffee, I took several photos, told them that I was taking this further - one of them clearly just saw old lady with stick and said 'I can do what I like'
Have now emailed photos and covering letter to local paper and am now going to forward it to my local councillors one of whom is on the taxi licensing committee.
I'm not holding my breath but it's helped pass the train journey! But wtf should I have to do any of this. If only one of the gawpers whilst this was going on had stepped forward and said do what the lady says move your taxi
<sighs>

Well done again, GT. Wish I was there to join in. Blimmin' toerags!

I know from my own experience how annoying it is when all the BB spaces are filled by non BB cars.

However, I would hesitate to punish innocent people for the inconsideration of others. Might be serious consequences for some in missing a train.

Of course, Grannytwice you might not give a fuck!

Go GT!

Well I don't give a fuck because I'm one of the innocent people in danger of mussing her train.

Fair enough!

You're right petallus there might be very serious consequences for someone missing a train, more than just being late for work. Someone could miss a job interview, lose their job, miss a flight, miss a hospital appontment or treatment, fail to get to the bedside of a loved one who is dying. Sometimes one person's inconvenience is another person's disaster. Perhaps we should not allow those who behave badly to become our teachers.

"...one of them clearly just saw old lady with stick..."

My God! If only he knew!!!



Well done GT. Hope it works.

What you did this morning was correct and hopefully it will make those people think. When my Dad was alive and had a BB there were several occasions when I parked behind a non BB car parked in a disabled space and blocked them in. However I must agree that on the first day you may have caused problems for a number of people who had nothing to do with the situation.

Most of your scenarios nightowl would be solved by people leaving themselves a little more time for the journey and nor should we allow those who are inconsiderate to assume they can do what they like. Full marks to GrannyTwice for not being one of the silent majority.

Yes, but there's ways and ways!

I like to think I would have found the courage to go into the station and protest but not in such an enraged manner. If I could have parked somewhere which did not block all traffic I would have done so, perhaps behind the cars 'illegally' parked in the BB spaces.

I wouldn't have had such a go at the man who finally owned up. I assume there were others around who were parked in the BB spaces who kept their heads down. He could have done the same.

Sometimes we have to tone it down a bit, even when our anger is justified. Think of road rage.

Tiggypiro took the words out of my mouth. Most of us manage to get places early enough when getting to the airport for our holiday flights.

GrannyTwice is one of those who also risks "serious consequences" of missing engagements.
However for anyone with mobility issues the alternatives needed when you are "running late", of running for the train, parking further away from the station car park entrance and walking some extra yards are not an option.
Which is why her direct action is needed.

GrannyTwice I hope emailing the right people gets some results.

Btw Nelliemoser. Planet jingl. Nice here.

You?

Let's not "overthink" the myriad possible consequences, nightowl! What about the consequences to a disabled driver not able to get to wherever all because of other people's selfishness? They could benefit from occasionally thinking "There but for the grace of God. . . . "

If you'd read the OP properly you'd see I blocked the EXIT- not arrival. anyone blocked was not using the station forecourt properly - the proper dropping off point was not impacted neither was entrance to the car park

GT I think you have guts.....I like that!

I think I live in a different world

Good for you, GrannyT.
I've often imagined taking that kind of action (though not for BB, because DH and I are so far fortunate enough not to need one), but would never have the nerve.

The way you did it would make everyone present that day think twice before committing that particular offence, which has to be a good thing.

People need to see action being taken, otherwise more and more people start to think, "well if they can do it, why shouldn't I?"