Disabled parking

This page gives guidance for the use of Blue Badges. Blue Badges are issued to help disabled drivers or passengers park free of charge or closer to amenities than may otherwise normally be allowed.

Where can I park?

Some concessions apply nationally such as free parking in 'paid for' bays (in other words pay and display or voucher bays) and the ability to park on single and double yellow lines. Permit holder bay concessions depend on the local authority and so the guidance here is specific to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.

The Blue Badge map on the Directgov website is currently being redeveloped. Directgov plan to reinstate the map this summer (2010). We have documents listing the Blue Badge bays in the borough. They were compiled in 2007, and there is a further page listing the many amendments.

On street parking places

You may park within the London Borough of Richmond, whilst clearly displaying the Blue Badge:

In disabled persons' parking places at any time where no time limit is indicated, or as stated.
In resident permit holder parking places within Community Parking Zones (known legally as Controlled Parking Zones) without payment and without a time limit.
In pay and display, meter and voucher bays without payment or time limit.
In free parking bays without a time limit.

Additionally you may park on a single or double yellow line, but you must:

Display your badge and clock set to the time of your arrival, making sure the badge number and clock are visible from outside
Not park for longer than the 3 hours allowed.

Off street car parks

You may, when clearly displaying the Blue Badge, park within any normal parking bay (not motorcycle or coach bays) within any of the council's Car Parks without paying and without time limit. If possible and where available please use the dedicated disabled persons' bays as these are larger and will assist if your vehicle is adapted, or you need greater room when exiting or entering the vehicle.

Where can I not park?

Blue Badges do not allow for parking

In a place restricted by a loading ban, as indicated by single - or double-yellow kerb blips and a white sign showing the hours of restriction
In parking bays reserved for other types of vehicle (such as ambulances; taxis; doctors; motorcycles; traders; business bays.)

You must not cause an obstruction or danger to pedestrians or other road users

Twickenham Event Days

Twickenham Stadium has facilities for disabled parking, however, these are limited and you should apply well in advance. For more information please see the Twickenham Stadium disabled facilities or Twickenham Stadium parking pages.

If the stadium car park is fully booked all Blue Badge holders are permitted to park within the Twickenham Event Community Parking Zone (CPZ R). More information on the zone can be found on the Twickenham Event Days pages.

You should follow the guidance given above to park whilst the Twickenham Event Community Parking Zone is in operation.

Congestion charge

Blue Badge holders may be entitled to a 100% discount from the Central London congestion charge. If you require more information please visit www.cclondon.com for details on how to apply.

How do I apply for a disabled persons' parking bay?

To apply for a disabled persons' parking bay you should download the disabled parking bay application form(pdf, 50KB). Once completed you can post it to

Highways and Transport
Civic Centre,
44 York Street,
Twickenham,
TW1 3BZ

or you can email a copy to highwaysandtransport@richmond.gov.uk.

Please note

You must possess a Blue Badge and strict criteria must be met in order to be eligible for a bay.
The process of obtaining a disabled parking bay does take some time due to the legal processes involved and can take up to five months.
Once installed the bay is not the property of the applicant and may be used by other Blue Badge holders.

How do I apply for the removal of a disabled persons' parking bay?

If a disabled persons' parking bay is no longer required then it is important that the space is made available for other vehicles.

To notify the Council of a disused bay please write to