Motorway services

[ProfJohnL]

How do the ANPR cameras at entrance and exit know that you are carrying a Blue Badge, as your car may be being driven by a relative for example and you are not in the car so the Blue Badge cannot be used when parked up.

I recently took my wife to New Cross Hospital at Wolverhampton. Car park signage is poor, but in a few places (in small writing) it does state that BB parking is free. It goes on to say that exit from the carpark will be granted on presentation of the BB. But it doesn't say where or how to present it!

I contacted help telephone line to find out. Could I get through it took over ten minuets. It transpires that the BB should be left visible on the dashboard as you approach the exit barrier, and there is some means by which they automatically spot it and allow you out.

But as you say there are plenty of fraudulent users of BB and BB parking spaces. I don't know how these can be detected, or how the system can be made work more effectively and yet simple and accessible for those who genuinely need it.

It doesn't help there is little uniformity about conditions of use in all types of parking, and how evidence of eligibility can be verified.

 

[RogerL]

I recently took my wife to New Cross Hospital at Wolverhampton. Car park signage is poor, but in a few places (in small writing) it does state that BB parking is free. It goes on to say that exit from the carpark will be granted on presentation of the BB. But it doesn't say where or how to present it!

I contacted help telephone line to find out. Could I get through it took over ten minuets. It transpires that the BB should be left visible on the dashboard as you approach the exit barrier, and there is some means by which they automatically spot it and allow you out.

But as you say there are plenty of fraudulent users of BB and BB parking spaces. I don't know how these can be detected, or how the system can be made work more effectively and yet simple and accessible for those who genuinely need it.

It doesn't help there is little uniformity about conditions of use in all types of parking, and how evidence of eligibility can be verified.

Annoyingly, every hospital seems to operate a different system for allowing free parking for Blue Badge holders, which they're obliged to in England and Wales under Government regulation - that's if you can find a space, as recently at two different hospitals I found the car park absolutely full so I had to park outside on double yellows and walk in - which defeats the whole purpose of the Blue Badge.

 

[Beachball]

At our local hospital Blue Badge Holders when arriving at the car park barrier to access you have to press the button until someone answers and give your badge number and you get a reduce parking fee but there is no free parking .

 

[RogerL]

At our local hospital Blue Badge Holders when arriving at the car park barrier to access you have to press the button until someone answers and give your badge number and you get a reduce parking fee but there is no free parking .

Complain to hospital management - it's a mandatory element of the guidance issued in 2022 by HM Government https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...ient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles the mandatory free parking element also applies to "frequent outpatient visitors", parents of sick children staying overnight and staff working night shifts

 

[otherclive]

Complain to hospital management - it's a mandatory element of the guidance issued in 2022 by HM Government https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...ient-visitor-and-staff-car-parking-principles the mandatory free parking element also applies to "frequent outpatient visitors", parents of sick children staying overnight and staff working night shifts

The definition of “ frequent” could lead to some Interesting discussion with the Parking Contractors. Our local hospital issues authorisations to those who may have a specific course of treatment IE chemo, or radiotherapy. 😂

 

[RogerL]

The definition of “ frequent” could lead to some Interesting discussion with the Parking Contractors. Our local hospital issues authorisations to those who may have a specific course of treatment IE chemo, or radiotherapy. 😂

The guideline defines frequent outpatient visitor as 3 times per 30 day month over at least 3 months.

 

[Hutch]

Hi Dusty i would agree two hours is not enough but it better than nothing

Two hours in a Motorway service station, is more than enough. 1/2 an hour at most for us.

 

[otherclive]

Hi Dusty i would agree two hours is not enough but it better than nothing

Crikey Beachball that’s more than enough to even recharge a full electric car and have food plus comfort, and walk dogs too.

 

[jignc]

Hi, we are travelling from Leeds to Dover, towing a caravan, this next Saturday. Due to a medical problem we will have to make frequent stops, probably every couple of hours, to take a break. Can anyone suggest the best services to pull in to, for easy parking and, more importantly, the ones to avoid? Either the M1 or A1 route.
Thanks.

Avoid

Baldock Services - Extra - A1M J10​

The exit from the caravan parking has been blocked by the EV charging and it's a devel to get out.

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