Residents across Bolton can now apply to have disabled parking bays outside their homes.
The policy to allow people with disabilities to have road markings outside where they live, was approved by the council in August last year.
Many streets in the borough consist of traditional terraced houses meaning the only parking available to residents is on street.
Registered Blue Badge holders can apply for a residential disabled parking bay to be marked on the road outside their home.
The bays are not reserved for any specific individual and will not be enforced by the council or the police.
The applicant will pay £150 for the disabled parking bay road markings.
So far, four disabled bays have been implemented on residential streets in Bolton.
Anyone applying for a bay must:
- Be a Blue Badge holder in receipt of higher/enhanced rate for independence/mobility within Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA), or Attendance Allowance if 65+ (must show name, address and details of rate received)
- Have a vehicle registered at the address
The road in front of the house must be at least seven metres wide to allow enough space for a bay.
Other specifications include that the location must not be subject to waiting restrictions or within 15 metres of a junction.
Applications will be rejected if the resident has a driveway, garage, or off-street parking.
Bolton resident Sarah Dixon recently had a parking bay installed on the street outside her home.
She said: “We are a family of three disabled people, and all have blue badges.
“Living on a terrace street, we often struggled to park near our house and often ended up parking on other roads at the top or bottom of the street.
“We have only had the parking bay a couple of weeks, but it has been respected and we have been able to park outside our house.
“We are safer and more able to remain independent because of it.”
Cllr Hamid Khurram, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Highways, said:
“Not having to worry about being able to park outside their home could really help relieve some of the day to day challenges of a disabled persons life.
“Whilst there won’t be any parking enforcement, we expect motorists to be courteous and not park in these bays.”
For more information visit the Bolton Council website.
To make an application, please email highways@bolton.gov.uk and include your title, full name, address, postcode, and telephone number.