Disabled parking must be protected

Disabled parking must be protected

The Welsh Liberal Democrats have condemned a company operating several car parks across Cardiff, which has said it allows able-bodied drivers to use blue badge bays at one of their sites. 

Indigo runs car parks at the University Hospital of Wales and across several of Cardiff Metropolitan University’s campuses. The company tweeted this week that non-blue badge holders were urged to use blue badge bays if the rest of the car park is full at their Milton Keynes Quadrant car park.

Welsh Liberal Democrat Equalities spokesperson Cadan ap Tomos said:

“Blue badge spaces exist for a reason: they’re there as accessible spaces for those with a genuine need for them, not for use as overflow when able bodied people can’t find a space to park elsewhere.

“Indigo must immediately confirm whether it intends to introduce this policy in any of their Welsh car parks, and whether it will continue this practice elsewhere. Unless Indigo withdraw this shameful practice from all their car parks, questions must be asked of those organisations continuing to use a company who seem to lack even a basic commitment to equality.

“It’s shocking that in this day and age, car park operators still can’t be trusted to fully respect the needs of blue badge holders. The Welsh Liberal Democrats will always fight to ensure these rights are upheld.”