Disabled parking bays

We are responsible for the issuing and enforcement of both disabled parking bays and blue badges.

There are approximately 1,500 residential disabled persons parking bays located throughout the city of Portsmouth, all of which are in the process of being upgraded from courtesy markings to legally enforceable bays.

If you'd like to know more you can look at our frequently asked questions or contact us.

Contact us

To request an application form for a disabled parking bay you can:

• call us on 023 9268 8304
• email DisabledBays@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
• write to us at
  Parking Service, Alec Rose Lane, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2BX

Enforceable bays

Due to the levels of abuse of the 'courtesy bay' scheme and the distress and hardship this can cause to the disabled person, all residential disabled parking bays are being upgraded to legally enforceable parking bays.

An enforceable bay can be identified by a sign stating 'Disabled badge holders only' displayed next to the bay, either on a wall, fence or post. It is a requirement to display a valid Blue Badge at all times whilst parked in an enforceable disabled parking bay. Any motorist found to be parked without displaying a valid Blue Badge will be liable to receive a Penalty Charge Notice.

Due to the legal processes involved, the upgrading of bays will be completed as part of a two-year rolling programme on a ward-to-ward basis in the following order:

1. Drayton and Farlington - completed
2. Cosham - completed
3. Paulsgrove - completed
4. Hilsea - completed
5. Nelson - completed
6. Copnor
7. Baffins
8. Fratton
9. Milton
10. Eastney and Craneswater
11. Central Southsea
12. St Judes
13. St Thomas
14. Charles Dickens

The programme commenced in May 2007 and as of June 2008, the council wards of Drayton and Farlington, Cosham, Paulsgrove, Hilsea and Nelson have been completed with work due to commence in the Copnor ward in July 2008. Bay holders will be contacted closer to the date when their ward is due to be upgraded.

As concerns have been raised by bay holders about the need to display the Blue Badge at all times whilst parked in their allocated bay, they will be able to request a permit, specific to their vehicle and address, which will allow them to park in their allocated bay without the need to display the Blue Badge. Permit request forms will be sent to bay holders prior to work commencing in their ward.

Please note that new disabled parking bays must be added to the Traffic Regulation Order before they can be upgraded and so will be installed as courtesy spaces until the order can be amended. Amendments to the Traffic Regulation Order will be made approximately every 3-6 months, therefore some bays in enforceable areas will remain as courtesy markings until they can be added to the order and upgraded. 

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