Baywatch
Click here for the 2009/2010 results of the most recent Baywatch survey.
Many disabled people rely on a car to get around. Public transport is not always accessible and disabled people may not be able to get to the bus stop or station in order to access it. But in order to be able to work, shop and socialise using their vehicle, disabled people rely on being able to park close to their destination.
The Blue Badge scheme and the provision of designated parking for disabled people is supposed to make it easier but all too often disabled people find they can not park because these spaces have been taken by drivers who do not have Blue Badges. The Baywatch Campaign aims to end this abuse.
We want to change public attitudes though high profile events such as our parking surveys, and by bringing to the attention of Blue Badge abusers the impact that their actions can have.
We want to work with service providers to improve the provision, design and management of accessible parking.
This year’s Baywatch campaign was run jointly by:
So far, the Baywatch campaign has:
- Worked with a number of service providers, providing advice and support on best practice when it comes to parking for disabled people
- Received money from the Department of Transport to research the best ways to enforce allocated parking for disabled people
- Run surveys by disabled people on the extent of parking bay abuse in supermarket car parks
- Set up a competition and award scheme to highlight the best – and worst – when it comes to parking for disabled people.
As far as Baywatch is concerned, there’s no excuse for parking abuse.