Topic ID 1512
Does anyone know whether you need a badge to use the parent and child parking spaces in the council car parks in Hertford? Didn't want to risk it this morning as I wasn't sure whether having a child seat in the car would be enough to convince a PA not to ticket me.
Reply ID 18730
I have never seen any badges, but as you say, with the ticket happy wardens, I would leave nothing to chance. I checked the EHDC website and it is really helpful on this one ;-) "Penalty Charge Notices are issued in Pay and Display car parks in East Herts for the following contraventions: 6. Misuse of a designated 'parent and child' parking bay ...If you have any queries about the arrangements, or about where to park in East Herts... Call 01279 655261 and ask for the parking office or email [email protected]" Source: [url="http://www.eastherts.gov.uk/Transport_And_%20Streets/Motor_Vehicles_Roads_And_Parking/Car_Parks/index.htm"]EHDC website[/url] Seems to hinge on the term "misuse" then?
Reply ID 18736
To be honest Joby, not must point using them as they are no wider than the normal bays. When we go into Town we tend to park of the top of Bircherly Green car park as most of the time i can park with a space to the side the car seat is on. HTH
Reply ID 18739
quote:A grey area I reckon - I guess it might depend on whether the PA actually saw you park and leave the car with child in tow. Some people will use the child seat as a ruse to park nearer to the door. Reminds me of a time in Tescos when I chastised a woman for parking in a P&C space with no sign of a child - "I DO have a child" she replied in a snotty voice, "I am more considerate than to bring him out on a cold day like today" [}:)] AS she had taken the last P&C space I was fuming but took my revenge - when I caught up with her in the shop later I saw her abandon her trolly in the drinks aisle to go round the corner for something else so I swapped her £2.49 plonk for a bottle of 13 quid Chateau de Neuf [;)]
Didn't want to risk it this morning as I wasn't sure whether having a child seat in the car would be enough to convince a PA not to ticket me.
Reply ID 18740
quote:
Originally posted by Leo Densianquote:A grey area I reckon - I guess it might depend on whether the PA actually saw you park and leave the car with child in tow. Some people will use the child seat as a ruse to park nearer to the door. Reminds me of a time in Tescos when I chastised a woman for parking in a P&C space with no sign of a child - "I DO have a child" she replied in a snotty voice, "I am more considerate than to bring him out on a cold day like today" [}:)] AS she had taken the last P&C space I was fuming but took my revenge - when I caught up with her in the shop later I saw her abandon her trolly in the drinks aisle to go round the corner for something else so I swapped her £2.49 plonk for a bottle of 13 quid Chateau de Neuf [;)] Nice One [:D] There's the other one of the little old lady who is not disabled but cannot manovour into a normal size space. She quite honestly states she has a child. However the 'child' is now 46[;)]
Didn't want to risk it this morning as I wasn't sure whether having a child seat in the car would be enough to convince a PA not to ticket me.
Reply ID 18752
quote:Did you have a child with you, or just the seat?
Originally posted by Joby
Does anyone know whether you need a badge to use the parent and child parking spaces in the council car parks in Hertford? Didn't want to risk it this morning as I wasn't sure whether having a child seat in the car would be enough to convince a PA not to ticket me.
Reply ID 18757
quote:Yep, I had a child (wouldn't have considered trying with just a seat, it annoys me when people take the p*ss like that.)
Originally posted by Dudequote:Did you have a child with you, or just the seat?
Originally posted by Joby
Does anyone know whether you need a badge to use the parent and child parking spaces in the council car parks in Hertford? Didn't want to risk it this morning as I wasn't sure whether having a child seat in the car would be enough to convince a PA not to ticket me.
Reply ID 18764
quote:glad to hear it! [:D]
Originally posted by Jobyquote:Yep, I had a child (wouldn't have considered trying with just a seat, it annoys me when people take the p*ss like that.)
Originally posted by Dudequote:Did you have a child with you, or just the seat?
Originally posted by Joby
Does anyone know whether you need a badge to use the parent and child parking spaces in the council car parks in Hertford? Didn't want to risk it this morning as I wasn't sure whether having a child seat in the car would be enough to convince a PA not to ticket me.
Reply ID 18782
Ah ‘Parent and child’ parking spaces. Yet another way in which society rubs in how useless you are if you haven’t got any children. For me, they are as discriminatory as a ‘Whites Only’ spaces. [:(!]
Reply ID 18783
quote:The reason for Parent and Child Parking is that they are wider than normal bays to allow you to manoever your child into a car seat more easily. Once a child is over 5 there should be no need for parents to use them.
Originally posted by Titus Groan
Ah ‘Parent and child’ parking spaces. Yet another way in which society rubs in how useless you are if you haven’t got any children. For me, they are as discriminatory as a ‘Whites Only’ spaces. [:(!]
Reply ID 18785
quote:remember that when you don't get a pension![;)]
Originally posted by Titus Groan
Ah ‘Parent and child’ parking spaces. Yet another way in which society rubs in how useless you are if you haven’t got any children. For me, they are as discriminatory as a ‘Whites Only’ spaces. [:(!]
Reply ID 18786
quote:Yeah...........teach the blighters a lesson.........make them park as far away as possible, why not..............and while we're at it...do the same to the disabled........ And as for reduced rates on public transport..............don't get me started.........make 'em pay the same. they take up a seat just the same......... And what about bikes......strewth!!!!! Bleedin' liberty! I went to Marshalls and a new mountain bike was going to set me back over £400......... so how is it the Winnie The Pooh trike a mere 6 feet away in the display was £69? Then I went to Hertford Castle and stone me if they haven't fenced off a whole separate area for children and families and filled it with all sorts of brightly coloured play equipment. How much of MY tax money went on that, I ask ya?!?!?!?! Where WILL it all end?
Originally posted by Titus Groan
Ah ‘Parent and child’ parking spaces. Yet another way in which society rubs in how useless you are if you haven’t got any children. For me, they are as discriminatory as a ‘Whites Only’ spaces. [:(!]
Reply ID 18787
quote:Do me a favour - bringing up kids costs so much these days we need some perks!
Ah ‘Parent and child’ parking spaces. Yet another way in which society rubs in how useless you are if you haven’t got any children
Reply ID 18835
quote:Then by your definition, disabled spaces as just as discriminatory.
Originally posted by Titus Groan
Ah ‘Parent and child’ parking spaces. Yet another way in which society rubs in how useless you are if you haven’t got any children. For me, they are as discriminatory as a ‘Whites Only’ spaces. [:(!]
Reply ID 18840
quote:How did you come to that conclusion? I can understand why a person with a disability needs a reserved space, but why does an able bodied parent need one? For the trivial excuse that they succumbed to their procreative instincts?
Then by your definition, disabled spaces as just as discriminatory.
Reply ID 18842
quote:So it's just for your convenience then? Lets say I’m tall and fat (well, one out of two isn’t bad!) and instead of struggling to get out of my car I would like to get in and out “more easily” (your words), then, by your logic, I should be allocated a ‘Fat and Tall’ parking space?
The reason for Parent and Child Parking is that they are wider than normal bays to allow you to manoever your child into a car seat more easily. Once a child is over 5 there should be no need for parents to use them.
Reply ID 18845
quote:Because unless you are a contortionist it is not easy to get a child strapped in when you can only open the back door half way (or less)
but why does an able bodied parent need one?
Reply ID 18846
It is not about favouring parents for their procreation. Having a wider parking space enables a parent to position buggies, prams and even children to the side of the car instead of to the front or the rear where other cars will manouevere. It creates a safer environment for a parent. As a fat and/or tall person you are well in control of your own fat/tall body. You will go to your car, unlock it and climb in in full control of yourself and with full responsibility for your own behaviour. With children to manage it is a completely different situation. You have yourself and your children who are too small and immature to expect to understand the dangers of a car park. Parent/child car parking spaces simply make the car park a slightly safer space. And I expect your next question may be why they are positioned so close to the store. This is simply to ensure that the parent has less of what is a dangerous environment for their children to cross. Let's face it.........car parks are designed for cars. They are not safe for children. So let's just be a little tollerent.
Reply ID 18847
quote:Ewoowar I appreciate your attempt to lighten the mood with the merest hint of sarcasm! [;)] However, I would like to say that I have nothing against the disabled, pensioners, children in general or bicycles (sorry, I missed the point on that one!). I just can’t understand why a perfectly normal, able bodied person should be given preferential treatment, just because they’ve been, well, doing what comes naturally.
Yeah...........teach the blighters a lesson.........make them park as far away as possible, why not..............and while we're at it...do the same to the disabled........ And as for reduced rates on public transport..............don't get me started.........make 'em pay the same. they take up a seat just the same......... And what about bikes......strewth!!!!! Bleedin' liberty! I went to Marshalls and a new mountain bike was going to set me back over £400......... so how is it the Winnie The Pooh trike a mere 6 feet away in the display was £69? Then I went to Hertford Castle and stone me if they haven't fenced off a whole separate area for children and families and filled it with all sorts of brightly coloured play equipment. How much of MY tax money went on that, I ask ya?!?!?!?! Where WILL it all end?
Reply ID 18850
Titus, I know exactly what you are going on about. Don't worry, one day we will become a minority group and be entitled to some dispensation no matter how small. I fear it may be a long way off and we may be ridiculed but when it happens I will grab it with both hands.
Reply ID 18852
quote:Because a baby is not able bodied. You are missing the point as to who needs the assistance. But yes, I also see your point! [:D] Maybe Tesco should stop giving out trolley wipes and start with condoms. It will save a lot of space in the car park! They also need to stop making the disabled space the perfect width for white vans! [;)]
Originally posted by Titus Groanquote:How did you come to that conclusion? I can understand why a person with a disability needs a reserved space, but why does an able bodied parent need one? For the trivial excuse that they succumbed to their procreative instincts?
Then by your definition, disabled spaces as just as discriminatory.
Reply ID 18853
quote:It was not an attempt to lighten the mood, more a demonstration of intolerance and exageration to the ridiculous which is what I also read into your comment, "For me, they are as discriminatory as a ‘Whites Only’ spaces." Perhaps this is lost on you and my second post may be clearer. A car park is a dangerous place. It is designed for cars and a lot of small car parks have very limited safe passageway set aside for any pedestrians let alone children. In large car parks, where space permits, such as the Tesco and M&S car park at Brookfield Farm and the Tesco/Homebase(?)/Habitat/Comet car park in Hatfield there are pedestrian pathways created to ensure safe access. It is recognised that it is advantageous to create a safe environment for people. In smaller car parks there is very little pedestrian provision and the whole car park is extremely dangerous. Suggesting that parent/parking places is the same as ‘Whites Only’ spaces is ridiculous. Discrimination on colour is not based upon any need to assist. With colour neither group has a genuine need that is actively assisted. The purpose of a parent/child parking space is to assist a group that cleary benefits from the actions taken. I guess from your statement, "I just can’t understand why a perfectly normal, able bodied person should be given preferential treatment, just because they’ve been, well, doing what comes naturally" that you are missing the point. Ultimately parent/child parking spaces are created to help the children and not the adults who use them. Granted, if the child is a 13 year old then the parking space is being misused. But a parent parking in such a space with a toddler and/or a buggy or pram is doing so to protect their child and not merely rejoicing in the fact that they don't have as far to walk to the shop. Dud is right, "Because a baby is not able bodied. You are missing the point as to who needs the assistance."
Ewoowar I appreciate your attempt to lighten the mood with the merest hint of sarcasm! [;)] However, I would like to say that I have nothing against the disabled, pensioners, children in general or bicycles (sorry, I missed the point on that one!). I just can’t understand why a perfectly normal, able bodied person should be given preferential treatment, just because they’ve been, well, doing what comes naturally.
Reply ID 18854
Have you ever tried manovering a child out of car seat when some BELL END has parked their car so close, that you coud do with a can opener to get in to it yourself?
Reply ID 18856
quote:I assume then Titus that should there be fruit from your loins in the future you will be shunning the P&C parking as a matter of principle?
I just can’t understand why a perfectly normal, able bodied person should be given preferential treatment, just because they’ve been, well, doing what comes naturally.
Reply ID 18857
quote:Exactly, wheras your older less able bodied person can stand to one side while the car is manouvered out of the space and then get in (which you have to do on 2/3 of the spaces in the Gasgoyne way car park anyway) you can hardly dump a child seat with baby in the corner of the car park while you do this and, well once they are 3 you certainly could not make them stand still anywhere with any degree of certainty, they might be small enough to get into the car and then their seat, but you still need to be able to lean in and to it up. I cannot belive people (other posters - not you VM) are resentful of P&C spaces.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Have you ever tried manovering a child out of car seat when some BELL END has parked their car so close, that you coud do with a can opener to get in to it yourself?
Reply ID 18861
Why not look at the issue from the opposite perspective. P&C spaces protect neighbouring cars from damage caused by having to open the doors wider. Yes it would be nice if all the spaces were wide enough to allow full access via the doors, but that would severely limit overall parking spaces in a car park - so this compromise exists.
Reply ID 18862
quote:1. you mean could not "coud" 2. Are you unable to extricate the child out of the car seat by using the one or two seats next to said child in your car. 3. As a driver of a sports utility vehicle bought on the illusion of safety Victor the fact you are parked so close to a "BELL END" is in part down to your oversized vehicle. Regards Old Cross
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Have you ever tried manovering a child out of car seat when some BELL END has parked their car so close, that you coud do with a can opener to get in to it yourself?
Reply ID 18864
quote:1) Are you a School Teacher or just anal? 2)When I have my son in the car, I always park next to an empty space, to make it easier. 3)your assumption on what car I drive is incorrect. I have a 4 door saloon with all wheel drive, not what you perceive as a 4x4. Lastly have you been stalking me?
Originally posted by OldCrossquote:1. you mean could not "coud" 2. Are you unable to extricate the child out of the car seat by using the one or two seats next to said child in your car. 3. As a driver of a sports utility vehicle bought on the illusion of safety Victor the fact you are parked so close to a "BELL END" is in part down to your oversized vehicle. Regards Old Cross
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Have you ever tried manovering a child out of car seat when some BELL END has parked their car so close, that you coud do with a can opener to get in to it yourself?
Reply ID 18866
quote:extricate \EK-struh-kayt\, transitive verb: To free or release from a difficulty or entanglement And you expect said extrication of a wriggling child to be done with the car door open about 6 inches?
Are you unable to extricate the child out of the car seat by using the one or two seats next to said child in your car.
Reply ID 18867
quote:1) Neither 2) Thats an excellent idea, if everyone took your approach then there would be no need for this thread 3) Point taken and may consider getting an all wheel drive myself to negotiate the steep inclines and cobbles in Hertford! No, but you do set yourself up with some of your comments
Originally posted by Victor Meldrewquote:1) Are you a School Teacher or just anal? 2)When I have my son in the car, I always park next to an empty space, to make it easier. 3)your assumption on what car I drive is incorrect. I have a 4 door saloon with all wheel drive, not what you perceive as a 4x4. Lastly have you been stalking me?
Originally posted by OldCrossquote:1. you mean could not "coud" 2. Are you unable to extricate the child out of the car seat by using the one or two seats next to said child in your car. 3. As a driver of a sports utility vehicle bought on the illusion of safety Victor the fact you are parked so close to a "BELL END" is in part down to your oversized vehicle. Regards Old Cross
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Have you ever tried manovering a child out of car seat when some BELL END has parked their car so close, that you coud do with a can opener to get in to it yourself?
Reply ID 18870
And the winner is... ...Ewoowar! A good argument well put. [:)] Rather shows up the "I've got a child seat, I’ll park here" brigade for what they are though.
Reply ID 18873
I rather enjoyed this thread.. well done to all participants! I'll extend the 'Ive Got a child seat' thing to .. 'I've got a child seat' .. 'My bit's are in fully working order' ... ' And yes,..I'm not gay after all'..
Reply ID 18876
Personally I would not want to put a child through the ordeal of going round Tescos, especially when its busy !
Reply ID 18888
quote:On the contrary, I thought it rather showed up your narrow-mindedness, intolerance and ignorance of other people's needs up for what they are.
Originally posted by Titus Groan
And the winner is... ...Ewoowar! A good argument well put. [:)] Rather shows up the "I've got a child seat, I’ll park here" brigade for what they are though.
Reply ID 18898
Joby - as far as i am aware you don't need a badge. I've never had a ticket for parking in these spaces, even without evidence of a child in the car (just a minute - I did have a Tesco Baby and Toddler badge on display). As I understand it there is no legal enforcement of these spaces. Sometimes it is not the width of the space but the proximity to things like lifts, ticket machines etc. that makes them easier for parents. The StAndrews street parent spaces are quite tricky to get into and about the furthest from the ticket machines, but are nearest the park exit. Every little helps. But you will still find that more often than not it is very difficult to get a baby or toddler in and out of a car in car parks. I once had to get into a car with a baby carrier via the hatchback.
Reply ID 18922
quote:There hasn't been an argument yet. For one to take place you've got to put forward some form of intelligent view point, which clearly hasn't happened yet. [:p]
Originally posted by Titus Groan
And the winner is... ...Ewoowar! A good argument well put. [:)] Rather shows up the "I've got a child seat, I’ll park here" brigade for what they are though.
Reply ID 19051
quote:And? [;)]
There hasn't been an argument yet. For one to take place you've got to put forward some form of intelligent view point, which clearly hasn't happened yet. [:p]