A new study claims Liverpool is one of the worst places in the UK for accessible disabled parking.
The study by Nationwide Vehicle Contracts placed Liverpool near the top of the worst list with 44% of car parks not offering disabled spaces.
The city came third on the list for failing to offer substantial parking options for disabled motorists.
Only 56% of the car parks were found to offer accessible spaces, despite there being over 6,362 blue badge holders registered in the city.
Analysts worked out the percentage based on Parkopedia data of car parks in 56 cities that offered disabled parking and the percentage that didn't.
For Liverpool, 72 car parks were looked at in total, showing 40 car parks offered disabled parking while 32 did not.
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In response, Liverpool council said that Blue Badge owners can park for free in all but one of the council run car parks but they had no control over disabled spaces in the 51 other privately owned car parks in the city.
To use an accessible parking bay, you need to have a Blue Badge displayed on your dashboard visible through the windscreen.
Only certain people are eligible for Blue Badges, and they only permit you to park in disabled on-street parking.
Carers of people with disabilities are also eligible for Blue Badges, allowing them to do their work without any inconveniences.
Since the Government announced in 2019 that those with hidden disabilities could also apply for a blue badge back in 2019, there has been a surge in demand for disabled parking.
Despite being in the top three, Liverpool wasn't the city deemed the worst for blue badge holders.
Southampton with 54% came in as second while Derby with a shocking 42% came out as the worst place in the UK for car parks without accessible disabled parking.
Keith Hawes, director at Nationwide Vehicle Contracts who researched the data, said: “As those with hidden disabilities such as Autism, MS and mental health issues are now allowed to apply for a blue badge it is vital that towns and cities ensure there is more accessible parking available.
"In Birmingham there are around 15,841 blue badge holders and only 46 car parks with disabled spaces, meaning there are approximately 344 disabled motorists per car park.
"Cities need to make themselves more inclusive and accessible, particularly as the high street is struggling.
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"We're also likely to see more Brits hiring cars and driving to their staycation destinations this summer, as travel abroad is still limited.
"Towns and cities, especially those known for being UK tourist traps, should take a look at their facilities to make sure they can provide inclusive parking for all.”
A Liverpool council spokesperson said: “There are around 500 dedicated disabled spaces in council car parks and on the street across the city centre, and additional spaces are being created in the new facilities being built at Kings Dock and Paddington Village.
"Blue Badge holders can also park for free in all but one of our council car parks or on street spaces in the city.
"We have no control over the number of disabled spaces in the 51 privately operated car parks in Liverpool.”
Table of worst UK locations for accessible parking spaces
Percentage of car parks without disabled spaces
- Derby 58%
- Southampton 46%
- Liverpool 44%
- Belfast 43%
- City of London 43%
- Bradford 42%
- Exeter 42%
- Preston 41%
- Birmingham 39%
- Manchester 36%
- Nottingham 35%
- Leicester 34%
- Stratford-upon-Avon 33%
- Bolton 33%
- Norwich 32%
- Dundee 32%
- Hereford 32%
- Wandsworth 30%
- Aberdeen 30%
- Newcastle 29%
