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Disabled woman fined more than £1,000 for parking in disabled spot

Alex_Alumni

In an article on BBC News today, Cerys Gemma, who lives in Cardiff Bay, said the space allocated to her flat is inaccessible for her, because there is not enough space to access the car in her wheelchair.

Instead, she has been using one of the parking spaces reserved for visitors with disabilities.

New Generation Parking Management, which manages the bays said the spaces have to be kept free for disabled visitors, not residents.

"This has plagued me for two years and I just can't go on like this.

"I'm at breaking point and I've had conversations with people, and I've said this is the end, because I can't do this anymore - something has to change.

"I'm not willing to be pushed out of my home because I'm in a wheelchair"

Ms Gemma has now been ordered to pay the fines by the County Court.

I'd like to know:

What's your reaction to Cerys's story?

Has anything similar ever happened to you?

What solution would you want to see?

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Comments

reneempx

My reaction is this woman is the kind of person who makes it more difficult for us all! The media and her, are only reporting HALF the story!

Here’s the other half! Her apartment has a parking space allocated to it…while she uses the visitors disabled bay, she has continuously over a long term period allowed a non resident friend to park in her normal allocated space!

Stop supporting people who fail to disclose the entire issue with their ‘run to the media story’… she is effectively using TWO spaces while only having paid for one! The neighbours agree with the parking company!
Having a disability does NOT and should not automatically mean you’re right and should get what you demand to the detriment of others.

jkw123

I think you have completely missed the point here. Regardless of whether the space is shared with someone else or even rented out, the lady in question can’t use her space because it isn’t accessible. If I was her I’d totally let someone else use it if it was impossible for me to. Why wouldn’t you?!

reneempx said:

My reaction is this woman is the kind of person who makes it more difficult for us all! The media and her, are only reporting HALF the story!

Here’s the other half! Her apartment has a parking space allocated to it…while she uses the visitors disabled bay, she has continuously over a long term period allowed a non resident friend to park in her normal allocated space!

Stop supporting people who fail to disclose the entire issue with their ‘run to the media story’… she is effectively using TWO spaces while only having paid for one! The neighbours agree with the parking company!
Having a disability does NOT and should not automatically mean you’re right and should get what you demand to the detriment of others.

reneempx

?? I’m not the one missing the point! These are purchased spaces! She got one space with her flat! Not two! The freeholders have OFFERED to arrange a more suitable space for her but she has refused to give up her original ‘too small’ space, because her pal uses it! So she wants TWO spaces for the price of one! That’s why the court found in their favour and not in hers! THAT is the point you’re refusing to accept! “Hey lady, we’ll give you a more accessible space in return for the one you say is not suitable!’ “Oh no, I want my cake and eat it too!’

How about she brought this up when she bought the flat in the first place! Nope, she bought it then started using a space that wasn’t hers, so taking up two spaces! No sympathy, chancing her arm!

Cartini

jkw123 said:

If I was her I’d totally let someone else use it if it was impossible for me to. Why wouldn’t you?!

I hear what you say, but parking is becoming a premium element of daily life. There is nothing wrong with you "totally letting someone else use it" so long as you don`t use another bay reserved for visitors.

As far as I`m concerned, she deserves the fine.

Girl_No1

Alex_Scope said:

In an article on BBC News today, Cerys Gemma, who lives in Cardiff Bay, said the space allocated to her flat is inaccessible for her, because there is not enough space to access the car in her wheelchair.
Instead, she has been using one of the parking spaces reserved for visitors with disabilities.
New Generation Parking Management, which manages the bays said the spaces have to be kept free for disabled visitors, not residents.
"This has plagued me for two years and I just can't go on like this.
"I'm at breaking point and I've had conversations with people, and I've said this is the end, because I can't do this anymore - something has to change.
"I'm not willing to be pushed out of my home because I'm in a wheelchair"
Ms Gemma has now been ordered to pay the fines by the County Court.

I'd like to know:
What's your reaction to Cerys's story?

Has anything similar ever happened to you?

What solution would you want to see?

I'd be questioning why she didn't request a more suitable space at the outset of her residency, rather than attempt to continuously misuse parking designated for disabled visitors.

Nothing similar has happened to me, because I would address the issue quickly and directly with those with the responsibility/authority to resolve the issue.

I'd like to the see the solution already found by the management company being accepted by the complainant i.e. she gives up the allocated space in return for a more suitable space.