Request for a Formal Disabled Bay

If you have been issued a Blue Badge by Lewisham and can only walk a very short distance in a highly congested street with no other accessible form of parking, you may be eligible to apply for the installation of a disabled parking bay in front of your property.

To qualify for the installation of a disabled parking bay, you must meet all of the relevant eligibility criteria.

Qualifying residents are entitled to apply for a disabled parking bay to be installed near to their property, subject to meeting both the medical and highway criteria. Only one application can be accepted per formal address for a disabled parking bay.

If a disabled parking bay is approved and installed, the bay may be utilised by all blue badge holders, and is not for the sole use of the resident for which the bay was implemented.

Due to changes in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, Lewisham Council only offer ‘formal’ disabled parking bays, which carry a Traffic Management Order and are therefore legally enforceable. This is also to protect Blue Badge holders and enforce any misuse by non-blue badge holders.

• How to apply?        
• Who can apply?     
• Documents required
• Medical Criteria
• Highway Criteria
• Next steps
• Change of address
• Land that is not public highway

How to Apply 

Applications must be sent to the following email address: DisabledBay@lewisham.gov.uk.

The implementation of a disabled parking bay is free of charge.

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Who can apply?

Any resident with a valid blue badge issued by Lewisham Council can apply for a parking bay.

The blue badge holder does not have to be the driver of a vehicle, but any driver of the vehicle must live at the same address as the blue badge holder.

Parents/carers of children under the age of three would not be entitled to apply for a formal disabled parking bay for the use of that child unless that child is always accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around without great difficulty and/or needs to be kept near a vehicle at all times.

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Documents required

You will need to provide a copy of the following documents with your application. Your application will not be processed without them.

• Full valid UK driving licence - registered to the Applicant / Nominated Driver at the Applicant's address
• Both sides of the Blue Badge, with 6 months validity
• Council Tax statement – applicant and/or nominated driver living at the same address
• Full UK vehicle registration certificate V5C
• Tenancy Agreement (more than 12 months), leaseholder Agreement or Freeholder Agreement – name of applicant and/or nominated driver at the address
• Where the holder of a valid disabled badge is not the driver of a vehicle, you will need to provide supporting evidence to show that your nominated driver finds it difficult to manually handle, carry, push, or pull any essential medical equipment required for the blue badge holder (such as an oxygen tank or ventilator).A walking frame, stand or wheelchair are not considered essential medical equipment, as the nominated driver can manually handle, carry, push or pull these items.

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Medical Criteria

You must provide one of the following, dated within the last 12 months:

• Proof of Higher Rate of Disability Living Allowance – Mobility Component (DLA)
• Proof of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) – you must have a score of 12 points for the moving around component
• Proof of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - you must have a score 10 points specifically for 'Descriptor E' (under the planning and following journeys) on the grounds that you cannot undertake any journey because it would cause overwhelming psychological distress to the claimant (passenger - hidden disability)

If you are unable to provide all of the above documents, then we will not be able to process your application

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Highway Criteria

Highway conditions will be assessed by an engineer from Lewisham Council by means of a site visit. Conditions of road safety and access to the road will be considered.

Disabled parking bays will not be authorised if the applicant has access to an adequate off-street parking facility such as a garage or a driveway/hardstanding.

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Next steps

Disabled parking bays that are approved require a Traffic Management Order, meaning a statutory consultation will take place before any mandatory bay is implemented. Once the consultation has been carried out, a final decision will be made on the application.

Due to the costs involved with installation, disabled parking bays that have been approved will be installed in batches. Due to this process, the installation of the disabled parking bay may take several months.

Please be advised that disabled parking bays are free of charge.

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Change of address

You must inform the Council of any change of address or vehicle registration. If you move to a new home and you still require a disabled parking bay, your eligibility may need to be reassessed.

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Land that is not public highway

Please note before submitting an application that we cannot consider requests for private land or Housing Associations, including Lewisham Homes Estates. You will need to contact your Housing Association for any disabled bay related requests.

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