I was diagnosed with FA in 2012 and by 2017 I was using a wheelchair full time. This led to me owning a parking blue badge and using the allocated disabled bays around town. Disabled bays are really important and often essential to people. They are larger parking spaces located at the front of the car park, the extra space is to accommodate any mobility aids the person needs and the location is for easy access.

I have always found it a challenge to get a blue badge space when I need one, close enough to the right shop or restaurant but in the last couple of years, I can sometimes find it impossible. The thing a lot of people don’t understand is I can’t ‘make do’ with a regular space because there is not room to get me and my wheelchair out without scratching another car. It seems to me that it is being recognised that more people would benefit from owning a blue badge but more disabled bays have not been made.

Hartlepool Council parking used to be free, as many local authorities still don’t charge. In many ways, I understand this change but I still don’t believe it’s fair that I have to pay to park every time I leave my house. Again, it’s not like I can park further away and walk. Until recently, the hospital (which I go to frequently) used to charge but now allows free disabled parking for vehicles they have registered. Which is progress, but it still means I cannot go in a different car or get a lift off anyone.

Apart from that, a lot of the ticket machines are inaccessible, they are either too high up for me to reach/ read the instructions or they are up kerbs. However, disabled people will still get fined for not getting a ticket. Some examples of this are Hartlepool train station, Hartlepool One Life and Hartlepool Marina. I am aware that some of the car parks in town are privately owned but it is disappointing that the council can’t influence contract terms so that they are accessible for everyone.