Forum Topic

Turnham Green Terrace/Devonshire Parking

I am 78. I do not have a disabled badge and cannot cycle at all. I have lifelong asthma and COPD. The only way  can get to the High Road from the river side of the A4 is by car. I cannot walk 30 meters without having to rest, and there are no seats. The only way I can shop is to park on Turnham Green Terrace or Devonshire Road. And I'm not permitted to do that. By the Council's arbitrary actions, I can no longer patronise the merchants I've used for more than thirty years, because the Council has made it impossible.This is not progress; it's a retreat to idiocy.Which seems to characterise all the actions of the Hounslow Council in regard to Chiswick

Elizabeth Bray ● 2190d12 Comments

This is not just Hounslow.  There are changes all over the country in an effort to restrict car use to reduce pollution and CO2.  It was known that there would be an increase in car use once lockdown was over because of the reduction in public transport use and under Govt emergency legislation Councils could put restrictions in place with ongoing consultation.From our family's experience we would suggest that as soon as you can you start the process of applying for a Blue Badge.  It gets much harder if and when you wait until you are not as well or active.  You should not see it in any way as any defeat in your efforts to stay independent but more as an aid to staying independent and being able to park in more places and closer to more places than you could before.  It also makes it easier for others to support you by driving you to places.https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge

Philippa Bond ● 2190d

Then apply for a blue badge.

Chris Davies ● 2190d

Please  apply for a blue badge your GP will almost certainly support your application:https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/downloads/download/80/blue_badge_applications

John Stroud ● 2190d

Hounslow turn down two fifths of Blue Badge applications including those with GP support. They interpret the rules for who gets them very strictly.

Diane Brown ● 2190d

There are many, many elderly and disabled in Chiswick who find mobility difficult but would probably not pass the test to get a blue badge.  Just as the tests to get financial support from the government for the disabled (ie if you can painfully walk a couple of steps you don't qualify) are appalling, many of which are overturned on appeal.

Claire Moran ● 2190d

often the process is apply - rejected - appeal - approved. DWP are the masters of this with ESA they just hope folk will give up.

John Stroud ● 2190d

The DWP do not handle blue badge applications - the council do.

Diane Brown ● 2189d

John was making a comparison Diane, saying that the way the DWP deal with ESA can be similar with the way the councils deal with blue badge applications,

Andrew Jones ● 2189d

I posted the Govt info on Blue Badge eligibility.  From what the OP originally posted it looks as though she is eligible now and should bite the bullet and apply now before it becomes even more challenging.It is also true that many people need help with applications with regard to the documentation needed - so don't wait.  Many people do not claim what they are entitled to.  It doesn't necessarily save the Govt/Council money by doing this.www.ageuk.co.uk can often help. She could also enquire of the shops that she frequents most often whether they deliver rather than giving up.

Philippa Bond ● 2189d

Help - blimey you'll certainly need that!  28 pages it was to fill in - after several attempts I had to get assistance from a neighbour.  Blue Badge arrived and has been a lifeline for me.  After a few years, I had to apply for a new one. Would you believe, despite on my original application my disease was classed as terminal, ie NO CURE, I had another lot of 28 pages to complete - thankfully same neighbour helped me.  A bit like a man with no legs suddenly growing a new pair - that doesn't happen

Jennifer Selig ● 2189d

It's ridiculous when they can store information so easily now.

Janice Evans ● 2189d

Apply for ESA Sent for an  Assessment at the Marylebone Assessment Centre65 Lisson Grove, Marylebone, London NW1 6UH After the Assessment You will receive a letter either accepting or rejecting your claim If you are accepted You'll be placed into one of 2 groups if you're entitled to ESA . If you're able to get back into work in the future, you'll be put into the work-related activity group. Otherwise, you'll be put into the support group. If you are rejected you have 30 days to ask for a Mandatory ReconsiderationIf your still rejected after the mandatory reconsideration you have to appealthe decision.You then have to collated all information about you and any new information that the DWP hasn't  seen since the assessment, to build a defence for a court case against the DWP .While your waiting for a court date, the DWP will be writing up the case against you, quoting all legal rules and regulation as to why they rejected you for the benefit you applied for.On the court day, you can be up before a Judge, Qualified Doctor and the Clerk of the Court, sometimes you will also have a representative for the DWP.The judge and the doctor will ask you questions in turn about how you go about your life and how you disability affects you while doing so.You can take a family member with you or a person who job it is to voluntary help benefit claimants as the know the benefit rules and regulations.The Judge then asks you to leave the room while he considers you case, if he finds for you, he/she will award the benefit and if there and different groups of the benefit the judge will place you in the appropriate group that the courts thinks is appropriate.As in the ESA there are two groups,  “work-related activity group” or the  support group In the Work Related activity group you have to attend the Job Centre Plus every Month to see if your disability id getting better, so you can start to look for work.The Support Group is about a claimant not being able to go back to work as there disability will either remain the same or get worse.  I have been through this process four times in helping friends and family.

Bernard Allen ● 2189d