Across the UK, disabled people continue to face barriers to independence and participation in everyday life. Disabled parking bays in private car parks remain poorly enforced and frequently abused.
To tackle this issue, Disabled Motoring UK’s (DMUK’s) Baywatch campaign returns this summer. The campaign shines a spotlight on the misuse of accessible parking bays in supermarket car parks, while calling for greater accountability from supermarkets and parking operators.
86% of car parks surveyed in the Baywatch campaign last year were misused/abused. Of the 1,000+ respondents 75% reported they have felt watched, judged, or received negative or intrusive comments when using accessible parking bays. The findings highlight the ongoing challenges disabled people face when simply trying to access everyday services.
Baywatch invites disabled motorists, Blue Badge holders, and those who travel with them to complete a short survey every time they visit a participating supermarket between 1st – 31st August 2026. The survey will collect evidence on parking bay availability, misuse, enforcement and the accessibility barriers experienced by disabled customers.
The campaign will focus on six major supermarket retailers; Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl.
For many disabled people, finding an available and properly enforced accessible parking bay remains a significant challenge. In the absence of visible enforcement, many disabled motorists feel pressured to confront bay misuse themselves, potentially putting their safety and wellbeing at risk.
DMUK believes all disabled motorists should feel safe, confident, independent, and respected. It is time for greater accountability in both public and private parking environments.
Demand for accessible parking continues to rise. There are now almost three million Blue Badge holders across the UK, with approximately 52 badge holders competing for every accessible parking bay. With approximately one in four people in the UK living with a disability, improving accessibility should be both a commercial and a social priority for supermarkets.
After gathering real-world evidence through the Baywatch survey, DMUK will present the findings to supermarkets and parking operators, demonstrating the need for stronger enforcement, improved accessibility measures, and a more proactive approach to tackling misuse and abuse.
Disabled Motoring UK’s CEO, Graham Footer commented: “Blue Badges and accessible parking bays are essential for people with disabilities. When these bays are abused or misused by non-badge holders it means that disabled people often return home empty handed, or they are forced to navigate through unnecessary and unwanted additional challenges to achieve an everyday task. Upholding the integrity of the Blue Badge scheme has always been paramount for Disabled Motoring UK and that is why regularly holding our Baywatch campaign is so important. We wish to see as many people take part in Baywatch as possible, and we urge supermarkets and parking operators across the UK to take note.”
Survey Link
Participants are encouraged to complete the survey multiple times during the campaign. A link to the survey can be found here – www.surveymonkey.com/r/8MNFJKZ
About BBFI
BBFI – The National Agency for Blue Badge Fraud Investigations is a dedicated organisation committed to combatting Blue Badge fraud in the United Kingdom. BBFI collaborates with government agencies and local councils to investigate and prosecute those misusing Blue Badges. Its experienced team of investigators, including retired police officers, plays a crucial role in gathering essential evidence to ensure successful prosecution in Blue Badge misuse cases. BBFI’s primary goal is to protect the rights of genuine Blue Badge holders and create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.
