Waterside disabled parking ban to be permanent

A ban restricting blue badge holders from parking on a Lincoln city centre road is set to be made permanent.

Under a trial scheme running since July 2017, a restriction has been in place on Waterside South, which runs via City Square and into the rear of Boots and Wilko, preventing anyone parking down there except in a four-space disabled parking area and loading bays.

Documents before a Lincolnshire County Council committee say the order was trialled due to a “steady increase” of blue badge holders parking on double yellow lines and vehicles breaking regulations by driving down the road between 10am and 4pm (except for loading).

It says: “Violation of this ‘moving’ offence occurred routinely owing to lack of enforcement by the police, a situation which is unlikely to change given police priorities at this time.

“This being the case blue badge holders regularly accessed Waterside South to park… which began to disrupt access for vehicles delivering to local businesses, increase the likelihood of conflict between vehicles and pedestrian activity, and gave the area the general appearance of a car park.”

A map showing the layout of the scheme which is set to be made permanent.

The council received “formal requests” from businesses, the Lincolnshire Business Improvement Group and the City of Lincoln Council to come up with a solution in early 2017, leading to the “experimental” order.

The scheme has seen no objections from those who initially made the request, and a “number of groups representing the disabled and elderly” consulted by LCC, however, 12 people complained in August last year citing a lack of alternative parking, and the distance to City Square.

Officers at Lincolnshire County Council on Monday, December 3, will argue the move improves public safety and removes obstructions from the road.

They argue that there is parking nearby, including the new Central Car Park which has 39 spaces for Blue Badge holders.

They conclude: “This experimental traffic order has been in place for 16 months and the benefits it has brought to the area are clear in terms of reduced traffic movements and on street parking.

“Vehicular access is maintained at all times for deliveries to businesses and emergency vehicles and whilst the concerns of Blue Badge holders is noted, alternative provision for disabled parking is available nearby.”

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