It is estimated that there are over ten million people with disabilities in the UK. Additionally, the Borough of Basingstoke & Deane has a significant elderly population with over 12% of
residents aged over 65, many of whom have mobility problems. Basingstoke town centre is an attractive and popular venue for people with mobility difficulties. Parking at Festival Place has been designed to offer good access to the shops and facilities.
Other areas of the town centre, such as the 'Top of Town', Haymarket Theatre and The War Memorial Park to the south, the The Anvil concert hall to the north, and Eastrop Park to the east, are served by a network of car parks within a short distance of these venues. Click here for the location of car parks.
Pedestrian access from Festival Place to the 'Top of Town', the Haymarket Theatre and The War Memorial Park is via Wote Street and Church Street. These streets are pedestrianised but involve steep hills. If you have walking difficulties, you may prefer to park in Southern Road, Castons, Castons Yard, Albert Yard or Jacobs Yard. Click here for the location of car parks.
For a small charge people with mobility difficulties can hire a scooter or wheelchair from Shopmobility. This is located in Church Street near Marks and Spencer. For more information contact Shopmobility on 01256 476066, or e-mail info@shopmobilitybasingstoke.org The website address is http://www.shopmobilitybasingstoke.org/
Blue Badge Map (Interactive mapping system)
A national mapping system allowing people with disabilities to find blue badge parking bays has been extended to Basingstoke. The upgraded online Blue Badge Map service offers information on shared-use parking bays, residents' parking bays, parking restrictions, Shopmobility sites, toilet facilities and train station and airport accessibility.
You can search the map by entering a street, town or postcode. Alternatively, you can pick a town or city from a list of all locations covered by the service. You can choose the facilities you would like to see displayed on the map from a list by ticking the box next to the desired facility and then click on 'show'. You can see the details about a facility by clicking on its icon.
Different councils have different parking rules, and the map uses a colour-coding system to show the rules in any given area. To see what the different colours mean, click on 'Parking rules'. There is an explanation of the colour scheme and a list of councils.
The map can be found at direct.gov.uk/bluebadgemap.
Blue (Disabled Parking) badges
What is the Blue Badge scheme?
This scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel as drivers or passengers, and those who are registered blind. The scheme also applies to people with severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel by hand.
Who is entitled to a blue badge and how do I apply?
Contact Hampshire County Council's Blue Badge Unit on 01962 841841 or e-mail them at blue.badge@hants.gov.uk to find out if you are entitled to a Blue Badge, and how you can apply.
To download more information click on the pdf links below.
Car Parks for Blue Badge Holders
Parking in Basingstoke for blue badge holders is available in several locations, offering best access to the shops, facilities and attractions the town has to offer.
You CAN park:
- in any council owned pay and display car park, but not in designated permit holder bays. No payment is required, and there is no limit to the length of stay.
- in Festival Place car park, and Basingstoke railway station (Please note that these car parks are not controlled by the borough council and there may be a charge for Blue Badge holders).
- in on-street Blue Badge spaces in Church Street, Clifton Heights and in front of The Anvil.
You must NOT park:
- on single or double yellow lines in a car park
- outside a marked parking bay in a car park
- in any hatched area in a car park
The locations and number of designated disabled bays are listed below:
|
Name of car park |
Number of Blue Badge bays |
|
Joices Yard |
5 |
|
Haymarket Yard |
4 |
|
Anchor Yard |
2 |
|
Castons Yard |
11 |
|
Sarum Hill |
2 |
|
Jacobs Yard |
3 |
|
Central |
9 |
|
Alencon Link |
14 |
|
TOTAL |
50 |
General Parking information for Blue Badge holders in the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane
You CAN park:
- on single yellow lines on roads (but not in car parks), for up to three hours, except:
- where you would cause an obstruction.
- On double yellow lines on roads (but not in car parks), for up to three hours, except:
- where you would cause an obstruction, or
- where there is a loading ban (see below: Where you must NOT park, for an explanation of this).
- in a Blue Badge holders bay or a pay and display bay in a council car park - but not in bays reserved for Permit Holders in the car park. Parking is free, and there is no limit to the length of stay.
You must NOT park:
- on single or double yellow lines in a car park
- on double yellow lines where a loading ban is in force. These are indicated by:
- a single or double stripe on the edge of the pavement, as well as yellow lines.
- a nearby sign showing the times when loading and unloading is prohibited. See examples below:
- in loading bays which are for the use of heavy commercial vehicles (unless you are loading or unloading)
- in bays reserved for taxis
- in bus laybys or bus lanes
- outside a marked parking bay within a car park
- in any hatched area within a car park