A plea to people using sports and leisure facilities at Arbroath Sports Centre – please do not park in disabled bays unless you have the required Blue Badge.
Please be considerate and opt for one of the many standard parking bays at the Keptie Road facility. And we appeal to people not to park up on the grass or across residents’ entrances next to the Centre.
It’s a friendly request to help solve a problem of many years standing.
However, Community Enforcement Wardens will be on patrol and taking action to tackle any illegal parking and ensure public safety.
The message from Blue Badge holders left frustrated and disadvantaged by this anti-social driver behaviour is clear – Leave Our Parking Bays Alone, Your Laziness is Not a Disability.
Independent Councillor Lois Speed, elected member for Arbroath East and Lunan, said issues of non-Blue Badge holders parking in disabled bays and inconsiderate parking at the sports centre are frequently raised with her.
Cllr Speed said: “It’s been an issue for as long as I can remember, but it has got noticeably worse since we emerged from the Covid-19 Pandemic. Parking arrangements at the Sports Centre haven’t changed over that time, but issues with driver behaviour and inappropriate parking are about as bad as they have ever been.
“We see people parking in disabled bays when they have no right to do so, cars being left parked up on the grass, and residents having the access to their homes restricted. It’s extremely unfair. There are plenty of parking spaces available and only seven bays reserved for Blue Badge holders.
“I have spoken to a number of drivers who are not Blue Badge holders about the way they’ve parked. Some are apologetic and sometimes even mortified when they realise what they’ve done. Others, and local residents can attest to this, have been downright abusive.
“I simply want them to realise the impact that their inconsiderate actions or perhaps laziness is having on other people’s lives and to realise the solution is to just park responsibly in one of the many other unrestricted parking spaces.
“Disabled people have been turning up, turning round and going home upset and frustrated because they can’t park in the allocated bays. Taking these spaces away from disabled people, causes them stress and anxiety. It stops individuals and families from being able to participate in vital sport and leisure activities, leading to social isolation and poorer health outcomes.”
Colin Knight, Senior Manager (Sport & Leisure) at ANGUSalive supported Cllr Speed and added: “ANGUSalive are very aware of the historical and ongoing issues with irresponsible parking in the disabled bays, on the access road leading to these and the grass area too.
“We would ask all customers to park responsibly in the car park that is provided. This issue is affecting customers who are entitled to park in these disabled bays, our neighbours at Arbroath Sports Centre and possible emergency service access”
Angus Council Community Enforcement Wardens, Cllr Speed and ANGUSalive, who operate the sport and leisure facilities, will be involved in a period of engagement, advice and information in relation to the parking issues. The aim is to get drivers on board and understanding of the difficulties created by irresponsible parking.
Thereafter, wardens where necessary will also be enforcing regulations and issuing of Penalty Charge Notices. PCNs carry a fine of £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 14-days and increased to £150 if unpaid after 56 days.