Blue badge required to pay for parking under site terms

A motorist appealed a Parking Charge Notice (PCN) after displaying a valid blue badge and believing they did not need to pay for parking. POPLA found the signage was clear that disabled concessions did not apply and blue badge holders were required to pay, and the appeal was refused.

The appeal

The motorist explained that they had displayed a valid blue badge and believed they did not need to pay for parking.

As part of the appeal, the parking operator provided evidence of the signage in place at the site. The signage explained that disabled concessions did not apply and that blue badge holders were still required to pay for their parking.

The motorist then brought their appeal to POPLA, asking us to independently review whether the Parking Charge Notice had been issued correctly.

Outcome

POPLA reviewed the evidence provided by both the motorist and the parking operator.

The Blue Badge handbook explains that disabled parking concessions do not automatically apply on private land and encourages motorists to check the terms and conditions when parking on private land.

While POPLA accepted that the motorist held a valid blue badge, the signage at the site made it clear that blue badge holders were required to pay as no disabled concessions applied.

As the motorist had not paid for their parking, POPLA found that the parking operator had issued the PCN correctly in line with the terms and conditions of the car park.

As a result, the appeal was refused.

POPLA comment

Holding a valid blue badge can provide motorists with free or concessionary parking on public roads, but the same concessions do not always apply on private land.

Landowners and parking operators can set their own terms and conditions, including whether any concessions are available for blue badge holders.

If you hold a blue badge and are parking on private land, you should:

• Check the signage carefully before parking to understand whether disabled concessions apply.
• Check whether payment is required rather than assuming your blue badge provides an exemption.
• Keep evidence of the signage if you believe it was unclear, contradictory or not visible.
• If your appeal to the parking operator is unsuccessful, and the operator is a member of the British Parking Association, you can appeal to POPLA for an independent decision.