If you are a tetraplegic driver then you will be fully aware that ticket machines in public car parks are absolutely impossible to use if like me, you have limited movement in the arms and hands. Many a time I have arrived at a car park on my own only to find that there is a notice on the ticket machine saying "disabled blue badge holders must still pay" now I'm fully aware that there are many disabled people who don't have a problem getting a ticket from the machine.  However, there are also lots of us who cannot operate a ticket machine by ourselves.  We don't always have somebody in the car to help us, we do quite often go out on our own.  If a public/commercial premises has to provide suitable access for disabled people in wheelchairs, surely a car park should have to provide the ways and means for disabled people to pay for parking in a car park if they are unable to use the ticket machine?  If the body responsible for the car park will not make it possible for severely disabled people to pay for their own tickets which then results in them not being able to use the car park, then surely this is discrimination against the disabled ?

If like me you live locally and own a blue badge, you should bed eligible for a parking permit that allows you to park free in any Torbay car park. This makes life so much easier, it means you can park wherever you like without having to worry about the hassle of how to put a ticket on your car.  However, not every car park is run by Torbay Council. A good example would be the car parks at Cockington near Torquay.  Their car parks are not run by Torbay Council. Therefore, they have decided that disabled people have to pay for their parking.  So Cockington is a place I cannot visit on my own because I am not be able to purchase a parking ticket.  Of course I could ask a stranger to get the ticket for me.  But how would you like a strange rifling through your wallet or purse ?

I think this is something that needs to be addressed. I know that people are always going to take advantage and try to get away without paying.  However, it's not fair on people who at no fault of our own, cannot use a ticket machine.  If you have any more information on this subject, or would like to come on board with me, please contact me via the website