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Hose pipe ban exemption? Options
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bpeal1
#1 Posted : Sunday, March 18, 2012 9:49:29 PM Quote
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Joined: 12/13/2010
Posts: 118
Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
Hello

Our water board are imposing a hosepipe ban in a couple of weeks. I was just wondering if anybody had successfully got an exemption from one without a blue badge. I love pottering around in the garden and currently have 160 little geraniums in my green house and hoped to add tomatoes, cucumbers etc. soon. However as the green house is at the bottom of the garden and my hands and wrists are not up to carrying watering cans full of water, I water it using a hosepipe.

I looked on their website and it said people who are blue badge holders are exempt from the ban for the purpose of watering gardens. I have been turned down for a blue badge by Oxfordshire county council because I can walk more than 200 m (being in pain during the 200m doesn't count according to them). My hands and wrists are much worse than my feet so carrying a watering can full of water just isn't an option. I was wondering about contacting them to see if I can get an exemption but I wasn't sure who to contact or what sort of evidence I would need. Any tips or experience gratefully received.

Thanks
Becky
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zena_mary
#2 Posted : Monday, March 19, 2012 11:43:08 AM Quote
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Joined: 1/21/2012
Posts: 388
Location: Powys
Hi Becky, I love my plants too so know how you feel.
I'm very dim but don't know how far 200mtrs is, I still have to have everything in feet and inches. I submitted my blue badge application over the phone. When she asked how far I could walk in mtrs I said I didn't know so she suggested a distance and put that! The amount of people who park in disabled places and appear to have no health problems makes me cross. I know they are given out for all sorts of problems but should not be denied to folk who are in real need.
I would prob. get onto the blue badge dep. again, tell them of your difficulty and ask their advive. I'm sure they will advise you who to ring, who knows you might even be able to appeal for the badge again.
Hope you get it sorted before the ban comes in. Zena x.
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zena_mary
#3 Posted : Monday, March 19, 2012 11:43:10 AM Quote
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Joined: 1/21/2012
Posts: 388
Location: Powys
Hi Becky, I love my plants too so know how you feel.
I'm very dim but don't know how far 200mtrs is, I still have to have everything in feet and inches. I submitted my blue badge application over the phone. When she asked how far I could walk in mtrs I said I didn't know so she suggested a distance and put that! The amount of people who park in disabled places and appear to have no health problems makes me cross. I know they are given out for all sorts of problems but should not be denied to folk who are in real need.
I would prob. get onto the blue badge dep. again, tell them of your difficulty and ask their advive. I'm sure they will advise you who to ring, who knows you might even be able to appeal for the badge again.
Hope you get it sorted before the ban comes in. Zena x.
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Paula-C
#4 Posted : Thursday, March 22, 2012 10:42:34 AM Quote
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Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 838
Location: Nottinghamshire
Hello Becky

When hosepipe bans were announced on the news I commented to my husband that lots of people would not be able for health reasons to cart a watering can up and down the garden, I know if I could manage to do it I would really suffer afterwards. I wonder if you rang your water company up and explained to them they might give you an exemption. I often see people with blue badges that have park in a disabled bay walking back to their cars carrying bags of shopping. I'm not saying here that they are abusing the blue badge scheme, I realise that lots of medical conditions able you to get a blue badge. It would be such a same if you was unable to tend your plants beaus of RA, another thing this disease will take away from you.

I read your post a few days ago but didn't have time to reply. I applied for a blue badge last year when I was really suffering and I got one, but at the moment I don't use it because I am pretty mobile at the moment. Where I live you can still use your hosepipes, but when I told my husband about your post, you know what he said?...........'Well, if we get a ban here, you can wash the car then'!!!!Sad

Paula x
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bpeal1
#5 Posted : Tuesday, March 27, 2012 9:24:14 PM Quote
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Joined: 12/13/2010
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Location: Shrivenham, Oxfordshire
Just to let anyone who is interested know, I phoned Thames Water (extra care services number) at the end of last week and spoke to a lovely lady and explained my situation. Unfortunately she didn't know the answer to my question but said she would phone back. When i got home today I had a message on my phone to say that I would be exempt from a hosepipe ban to water my garden (sorry Paula I think washing cars still doesn't count) but could I appreciate there is a drought and not use excessive amounts. I think this is fair enough. They also said they would put a note on my account that I can't carry water in case it gets to a situation where we would need to collect water from a standpipe. They also said they would confirm all this in writing.

It was definitely worth the phone call. Smile

Becky
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ellie50
#6 Posted : Tuesday, April 03, 2012 2:54:13 PM Quote
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Joined: 11/9/2010
Posts: 73
Location: Surrey
Hello Becky...

It's amazing the amount of help and advice you can get from this website. I had no idea that, as a Blue Badge Holder, I may be exempt from the hosepipe ban. I also come under Thames Water and they have kindly noted my Blue Badge status on the account.

Thank you for raising this issue.

Best wishes...

Smile

Ellie
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