Tesco Extra Watford becomes the first supermarket to gain the Disabled Parking Accreditation

Disabled Motoring UK has awarded Tesco Extra Watford store with its Disabled Parking Accreditation (DPA). Tesco is the first supermarket company to embrace the DPA and can now be proud to be the first supermarket to gain this prestigious certification mark.

By embracing the DPA Tesco demonstrates that they support their disabled customers. Parking can often be the biggest hurdle to a disabled person living an independent life. Disabled customers who visit the Tesco Watford store can now feel confident that disabled parking will not be abused and if it is action will be taken to ensure that only Blue Badge holders can park in the designated disabled parking bays.

Antony Powell, British Parking Association Area Manager, said: “Following my recent assessment of the parking facilities at the Tesco Watford Extra store in Hertfordshire, I had no hesitation in recommending to DMUK that the facilities should attain the Disabled Parking Accreditation. I congratulate Tesco for their commitment to the initiative and for providing parking facilities that are easily accessible to disabled people”.

The DPA is a not-for-profit accreditation which focuses on improving the personal mobility of disabled motorists by recognising off-street parking facilities are accessible to disabled people. Additionally, the accreditation identifies those car park operators who actively set out to manage and reduce the abuse and misuse of parking spaces provided for disabled motorists. Operators that achieve the DPA will not only be demonstrating to their customers that they are committed to providing high quality parking facilities for disabled people in their car park, but also to raising standards across the parking sector. The DPA, a recognised certification mark, is owned by Disabled Motoring UK and administered by the British Parking Association.

Graham Footer, Chief Executive of the charity Disabled Motoring UK said: “It gives me great pleasure, to commend Tesco on this achievement and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all personnel involved. DMUK receives lots of complaints about the abuse of disabled parking bays, especially at supermarkets, and we hope the DPA will ensure that car park operators are recognised for their efforts in tackling the issue. Tesco is the first supermarket to embrace this accreditation and demonstrate they are committed to supporting their disabled customers. We hope that all Tesco stores will be able to attain this accreditation in the near future and set the bench mark for all other supermarkets.”

Disabled Motoring UK 
Disabled Motoring UK is the national charity which supports disabled drivers, passengers and Blue Badge holders. We work with government and businesses to improve parking, refuelling and access provision for disabled people, so that they can access the goods and services that they need.