Parking for Disabled People

 

West Lothian Council recognises that people with disabilities often have difficulty in carrying out their everyday activities because they cannot find convenient parking.  After consultation with Lothian and Borders Police and Disability West Lothian, the council has introduced a number of measures to help you park nearer your home and public places.

To qualify for all disabled facilities you must be a Blue Badge holder.  Information about the Blue Badge Scheme and an application form can be obtained from Council Information Services or by phoning Concessionary Travel on 01506 775287

Residential Disabled Parking Facilities
The council also provides three types of residential disabled parking facility for drivers. These may be provided for drivers who have a severe disability affecting their walking.  The facilities are:

  • On-Street Parking Bay
  • Driveway
  • Dropped Kerb

To qualify for any of these you must meet all of the criteria agreed by the council, Disability West Lothian and Lothian and Borders Police.  Sometimes the council may not be able to provide a parking bay, even though you meet the criteria, because of local planning or traffic considerations.

Further information on the criteria for residential parking facilities is available in the information leaflet Parking for Disabled People in West Lothian.  This document can be downloaded below.

If you wish to apply for a residential parking facility for disabled people, an application form can also be downloaded below or you can contact Council Information Services on 01506 775000.

Customer Satisfaction Survey
In order to monitor and improve the service that we provide, a customer satisfaction survey on the residential disabled parking process has recently been undertaken by the council's Transportation service. A summary of the results has been compiled and is available to download below. It is our intention to undertake such a survey on an annual basis.

 

Downloadable documents

Frequently Asked Questions

Click a question to see the answer.

How long does it take to go through the application process for a residential disabled parking facility?

We aim to acknowledge or respond to your application within 2 weeks, however where an additional assessment is required the process can take up to 12 weeks. Where an application is successful, from notifying the applicant as being successful to delivery of a disabled parking bay can take up to 8 weeks. Timescales for other disabled facilities vary depending on the size of the job and work involved.

I have a blue disabled parking badge and neighbours consistently park in front of my property. What can I do?

There is no law to enforce that you should be allowed to park right outside your property so you therefore rely on the common courtesy of your neighbours. If appropriate you could discuss the problems you have with your mobility and kindly ask your neighbours as far as possible if they could leave you a space close to your own property. If you find that other people park outside your property, a sign advising that space is needed due to you having a disability may be enough to inform them and consequently they may then find an alternative place to park. You may need permission from the council to erect a sign.

I have been allocated a residential disabled parking bay but my neighbour keeps parking it . Can I prosecute?

Residential parking bays are allocated where there is a known need for a facility as an application has been made and assessed. As the parking bay is marked on the public road it is available for anyone to park in it, no part of the public road can be set aside for an individual. The residential disabled parking scheme currently operates by relying on goodwill and consideration. There is no enforcement action that can be taken by the Police or ourselves.

What are the criteria for a residential disabled parking bay?

You may be eligible for a residential parking bay if you meet the criteria set out in West Lothian Council's Disabled Parking Policy. To meet the basic criteria for a parking bay you must be the driver of the vehicle, hold a UK driving licence and receive the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (if you are under 65). In addition an assessment of your mobility will be undertaken to assess your mobility and eligibility for a facility. Further information on eligibility is contained in the information leaflet "Parking for Disabled People in West Lothian" which can be downloaded.