A short guide to how the new law on disabled parking bays should work

Essentially once the local authority moves a Traffic Regulation Order to cover all disabled parking bays, the Traffic Wardens will be able to find out where they are located. It is envisaged that enforcement will be proactive in town centres and public places, and reactive in residential areas. So if someone phones the police or local authority to report the abuse of a bay then either a warden or police officer will attend (this will vary from area to area as some local authorities have decriminalised their parking).

And approximately how long will it take for the Local Council’s enactment of the new law.

The timing of the Traffic Regulation Order is a matter for the Council. There is a space of 6 months before enactment to give Councils time to plan but some are already moving quickly to ensure that all their bays are enforceable. Indeed there is an argument that promoting one TRO to cover all bays is the quickest most cost effective method, but ultimately it is up to local authorities.

A thank you to Baillie J (Jackie), MSP to replying to the Fife Independent Disability Networks questions on this matter.

(Note from editor: The new law was passed on 26 February 2009, so let’s make sure the Local Councils keep to within that 6 months deadline. I make it the 25th August 2009)