Reserved parking bays

I refer to the item Square Pegs that appeared in the On the Dot (January 31).

The point raised was whether anyone "can just purchase a can of paint and draw bays to suit oneself". The report also mentions that often the bays are used by members of the public that have been assigned a reserved parking bay who do not seem to "have any disability".

Allow me to point out that the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) has very clear guidelines in this regard. The criteria for eligibility for reserved parking, as agreed to by the local councils and the National Commission for Persons with a Disability, outside the residence of a disabled person are as follows:

¤ The place of residence/habitation, pertaining to the disabled person (as specified in his identification card) for whom the reserved parking space is being requested, must not have a garage or drive-in or any other space within the property boundaries or within 220 metres from the said residence/habitation, which could be used as or transformed into a car parking space or car port, subject to any permits required by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

¤ The disabled person is unable to walk or has substantial difficulty in walking or has a wheelchair.

¤ The disabled person is the driver of the vehicle for which the reserved parking is being requested and such vehicle must be registered at the same address as the reserved parking space.

Moreover, the person applying for a reserved parking bay for disabled must be in possession of a valid disabled blue badge which is issued by the National Commission for Persons with a Disability on the basis of his/her recognised disability. This apart from the medical certificates as per application requirements.

The procedure for an application for a reserved parking bay is as follows:

¤ The application is checked to ensure that full details and necessary documents have been submitted.

¤ The local council is informed of pending application and its comments requested.

¤ The ADT medical doctor examines the applicant and reports back to the authority on the applicant's medical condition and level of mobility.

¤ Applicants who satisfy all the criteria outlined above or are wheelchair bound are immediately allotted a reserved parking bay. Other applications are assessed by the board for disabled reserved parking. The board is chaired by the authority and is made up of a nurse, a doctor and persons with a disability recommended by the National Commission for Persons with a Disability.

In the eventuality that a reserved parking bay holder passes away or changes the place of habitation, the local council or the National Commission for Persons with a Disability inform the ADT accordingly. Consequently, the reserved parking bay is removed.

To conclude, the ADT is once again inviting any person who has information about abusive or unapproved reserved parking bays to contact the ADT offices at their convenience. All information will be treated in strict confidence.