A disabled Scot returned home after a nightmare spell in hospital, where he nearly died three times, to find double yellow lines painted outside his flat. Joseph Thompson spent months in hospital after developing pneumonia and later sepsis.
The 60-year-old, of Edinburgh, struggles with his mobility due to injuries he suffered earlier in his life. As well as being involved in a motorcycle accident, he also fell on board a moving bus, leaving him unable to walk far or write with a pen.
As reported by our sister title, Edinburgh Live, he was admitted to hospital on January 10. Joseph, who usually parks outside his flat at Dryden Gait, was discharged at the end of March.
But once he arrived home, he noticed double yellow lines had been painted in front of and behind his car due to the rollout of the council's controlled parking zones in the area. As he was in hospital, he says he was unaware that his parking space would be taken away.
He said: "I was in hospital for over two months at the start of the year and nearly died three times. I was admitted with pneumonia and then sepsis and other infections nearly finished me off.
"I also have a titanium cage fitted after I was involved in an incident on board a bus years ago and broke eight ribs. I was also left with a brain injury following a motorbike incident which caused issues with my balance.
"I got out of hospital and noticed that in front and behind my car outside my flat had been painted with double yellows, with cones either side of my car. I park right outside as I can't make it all the way up the hill to the only other location I'm guaranteed a space.
"I use the car often as it is my only mode of transport for visiting my kids during the week.
"I applied for a disabled parking spot outside and I heard back saying they couldn't process the application without documents proving it's my car and proof that I pay council tax."
Days after he got out of hospital, Joseph went out to his rehabilitation group and returned to see the rest of the street painted with double yellows, sparking doubt over where he could park with immediate access to his flat due to his poor mobility.
He was issued a parking ticket on March 29 while parked on the double yellows, but the council has confirmed this was to notify him of the need to implement double yellows on the remainder of the street.
Joseph says he has been close to giving up his car. The nearest disabled spot is at the top of the street but he cannot walk to it as it is uphill. He has also been working with his support worker to apply for a disabled parking spot outside his flat.
He continued: "I have double yellow lines outside my flat. I have been told I can park anytime. Then told otherwise. There is no signage in my square, so I'm confused about the loading issue.
"It looks as though the only option I have is to become 'trapped' in my flat, by selling my car. There has never been a problem with parking or access.
"I know the new zones are to stop people abandoning their cars for the day and going into the city but this is a quiet area. All the people parked here live here.
"The fire service and ambulance have been in here before and there has never been an issue getting in or out due to traffic." After being contacted by Edinburgh Live, the council confirmed that Joseph is free to park on the double yellow lines.
A spokesperson said loading restrictions do not apply and that his parking ticket was only issued as a notice so that they could relocate the vehicle to mark the rest of the double yellow lines.
They also reiterated that several correspondence were sent to residents explaining the upcoming plans for the new controlled parking zones and changes to permits.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “As a blue badge holder, Mr Thomson is entitled to apply for a disabled space and is permitted to park on the double yellow lines outside of his property and any other double yellow lines where there are no loading restrictions and where it is safe to do so. He can also park in pay and display spaces, and can apply for a free permit to park in permit spaces in the area.
“In addition to correspondence with residents over recent years about plans, we sent out leaflets to residents in February and again before zones went live, with information about the changes and permits.”
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