Banner protest over 18 month wait for disabled bay

A man has installed a 16ft (5m) banner in front of his house in frustration over an 18 month wait for a decision on a disabled parking space for his wife who is terminally ill with a brain tumour.

Paul Rapetti applied for a dedicated space for Berta on Vine Street in Lincoln in March 2025 but, despite being told a decision would be made within weeks, nothing has been decided.

Now he has put up the banner, which says there is a "disabled person in residence" and asks motorists to leave a space free.

Councillor David East, executive member for highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said officers would "review the situation and provide a clear recommendation so that a decision can be made".

Paul put the banner up on 8 October and wrote letters to neighbours appealing for them to leave enough space for the couple's car and to allow for wheelchair access.

"We've been trying for 18 months to get a disabled parking space outside of our home, to no avail. So we've come to the conclusion that we're not going to get anywhere," Paul said.

"I got angry, then I got frustrated and it's ever so difficult because getting around with Berta, she's becoming less and less mobile," he added.

Berta blamed the delay on "red tape".

"I used to go out every day and frog-march up and down to town and I can't do that now," she added.

"It would be nice to get it sorted."

Councillor Natasha Chapman, who represents the area Paul and Berta live in, said the couple were not alone in waiting for a decision on disabled parking bays.

"In this area alone, there's at least five," she said, adding she was "sure" there would be others in a similar situation elsewhere in the county.

She said a new policy on disabled parking bays had already been written, with recommendations made by council officials.

"It's ready made, and to delay and continue to delay at this point feels like cruelty.

"You're just making people wait and wait for something they were repeatedly told would be delivered quite some time ago."

Angela Matthews, public policy and research director at Business Disability Forum, said the issue was not exclusive to Lincoln.

"Lots of people are needing this type of help with a blue badge or a disabled parking bay at the moment," she said.

"While we're waiting for policy changes, while people are waiting for their blue badge or their disabled parking bay applications to go through, we really are relying on the grace of our neighbours and the people around us, " she added.

East said: "I've looked at this case and can understand why Mr Rapetti has become frustrated waiting for an answer.

"I've now asked officers to review the situation and provide a clear recommendation so that a decision can be made."

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