Ariel Road resident  Melina Cuff and her grandson by the parking bay

A TWO vehicle disabled parking space designated to a now-deceased resident has been out of action for nearly a year after their death – while drivers in the West Hampstead area “circle like vultures” for ever-shrinking spaces to park their cars.

Ariel Road resident Melina Cuff, who drives disabled people in her taxi for a living, has found it near impossible to park her vehicle close to her home. Construction work in the area has led to the suspension of 11 bays in neighbouring Maygrove Road, while many spots in the area are now reserved for electric vehicles.

“I’ve been forced to park two roads away at 2am and I’ve been followed home. It’s been really scary,” Ms Cuff said.

When her neighbour passed away last November, she said their designated parking space was re-labelled for use by another blue badge holder but the council has confirmed that no one has used the space since then and the new signage was an “oversight”.

Despite this, residents say they have still been fined for parking there.

“I came home late from work one night and there was nowhere for me to park so I parked there. I got a ticket. Blue badges have parked there and got a ticket,” Ms Cuff said.

Thomas Wood, another Ariel Road resident, said: “It is completely incomprehensible to me that Camden continues to issue fines to those who park in the bay, knowing that the permit holder is deceased. The bay should be returned to general use. Local residents who pay a lot for permits simply cannot park anywhere near where they live.”

Ms Cuff has collected more than 18 signatures from Ariel Road residents who are in support of the removal of the bay so it can be replaced with normal parking. But the council said “due to funding constraints [it] currently has a backlog, with new bays being prioritised over removal of old ones”.

The Town Hall said once the space had been reviewed, it would also need to do a public consultation before the bay is properly suspended, which will take more than three months. The council said “the space has a non-enforcement notice allowing anyone to park within the space”, however, the New Journal could not find the notice at the site yesterday (Wednesday).

A Camden Council spokesperson said: “Priority of our parking bays is always given to those who hold blue badges, so that we can support residents and visitors who use a car as a mobility aid to lead independent and active lives.

“When a disabled parking bay is no longer required by the permit holder, we will work with the local community to explore the most suitable and sustainable use of the space going forward, such as planting a new tree in the space or installing one of our in-demand cycle hangars.”