Disabled parking
Public car parks
Allerdale operates Public
Car Parks in each of its towns, Keswick, Cockermouth, Workington,
Aspatria, Maryport, Silloth and Wigton and also provides rough
parking amenities along the West Coast A596 and to Allonby to allow
visitors the benefit of the scenic beauty of the Solway
Coast.
The quality of car park surfaces is good in
towns but is, as described, rough (or natural) at beauty spots and
at Allonby where the nature of weather and occasional erosion
obviates extensive civil works in areas of outstanding natural
beauty.
Within the whole of the Borough a disabled
person may park free of charge provided that their vehicle is
parked only and wholly in a clearly marked bay -whether this is a
specific 'disabled' bay or a normal bay that is available to the
general public.
Irrespective of disabled badge concessions the
Council will not tolerate any parking on any of its laid-out car
parks which is otherwise than in a bay.
The Council will always strictly penalise any
'Disabled Badge' related offence in the same way that it would
penalise any other offence and in this respect it has the full
support of the Allerdale Disability Association.
The time that a properly authorised badge
holder may park is normally up to 3 hours except at Workington's
Town Centre Car Parks ( Udale Street and Ladies Walk) which
are closely located by Marks & Spencers and the shopping
precinct and in Bell Close Car Park, Keswick where the maximum stay
is only 2 hours.
All badge holders must display their badge of
authority and a time clock that shows the time of arrival.
If a Disabled Badge is unreadable due to age or tampering
or is over three years old it may not be accepted and if in doubt
the motorist should pay when using a 'Pay and Display' Car
Park.
Each town has a limited number of specific
disabled bays properly marked and when these are occupied a badge
holder may use any other 'public' bay.
Certain 'disabled' bays are specifically marked
with notices saying 'Wheelchair Users Only'. Where a person parks
in these and is seen not to use a wheelchair either on arrival or
on departure then the vehicle will be penalised irrespective of
whether it displays a badge of authority or not.
In each town a small number of bays may either
be marked with 'numbers' or with the word 'Reserved'. Such bays are
not available for the general public (and hence badge holders
too).
Disabled badge concessions do not apply on
private car parks. Currently known private parking places include:
South Quay, Maryport; Vulcans Lane, Workington; Rawnsley Hall,
Keswick Rugby Ground, Keswick and various
sites in the Borrowdale Valley - motorists should take due care to
check when entering any non-municipal car park which does not carry
signposts stating that it is an Allerdale Borough Council Car
Park.
This is not generally available in Allerdale.
- The purpose of the scheme is to allow you to
visit shops and other places and you should use it with care and
attention to the rules.
- It is your responsibility to ensure that the
badge is used properly
- It is in your own interest that the badge should
retain the respect of other motorists because it identifies you as
someone needing special assistance. Please play your part.
- You must not allow other people to use the
badge
- To reduce the risk of this happening
accidentally, you should remove the badge when ever you are not
using the parking concession. It is illegal for able-bodied people
to use a badge. If they do so, they are liable to a fine of up to
£400.
- This issuing authority can withdraw a badge if
it is misused
- You should not take advantage of the concessions
if you do not intend to leave the car, use a normal car park.
- Don't use the badge simply to allow other
people to take advantage of the benefits while you sit in the
car
Allerdale Borough Council
