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Farce of
electronic disabled parking
• My disabled partner and I were about to receive
our new car and in order to park it the designated bay for our
address with the least amount of fuss, we tried to inform Camden
Parking Solutions in advance.
In order for this to be done, we were told that my partner
had to present himself at their offices. Despite modern technology
and the spirit behind the Disability Discrimination Act (to
ensure that disabled people can access services easily) this
was apparently the only way to change vehicle details for the
bay.
A few days before the car was delivered we received, as promised,
our new permit. This was in the form of a credit card-sized
plastic badge with a bar code which when scanned through a windscreen
in combination with the blue disabled badge, would inform a
parking enforcement officer if the vehicle was legally parked.
What a fantastic solution to the problem of parking in such
a high demand area!
Well it would have been if officers had been equipped or even
trained with the bar code scanners. The first day we were parked
a ticket was issued resulting in a call to Camden Parking Solutions
who assured us that the ticket would be voided, no penalty was
due and this would not occur again.
The next day saw us ticketed yet again!
On this occasion the embarrassed officer explained that he had
not received training or been equipped with a scanning device.
How on earth is it possible for a penalty to be issued by an
untrained officer? How can any organisation entrusted to uphold
local bylaws carry out their duties unquipped? By being employed
by Camden Council apparently as this has become a common problem.
While I am no supporter of the privatisation of any enforcement
role, the officers on the ground doing a difficult and unpopular
job need the support of a professional organisation. Plainly
this is not Camden Parking Solutions.
Gary Hatch
Prince of Wales Road
NW5
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