My car was towed from disabled parking spot even though I have a badge – I had to pay £100s but it’s the council’s fault
A DISABLED mum shockingly claims her car was towed from a marked bay despite having her blue badge on display.
Zoya Hussain was at a pal’s house in Haringey, north London, when she watched in disbelief as her black Lexus was loaded onto a truck.
Running out to reclaim the motor, which had her two-year-old son’s car seat in and her medication, the 28-year-old was too late and was instead forced to watch it be driven away.
Travelling 45 minutes with her toddler to get the car back, Zoya had to fork out nearly £300 even though she parked up in a registered disabled bay and showed her badge.
The compound, however, told her the badge had been seized over concerns it was a replica and it couldn’t be handed over.
Zoya, who has Crohn’s disease and recently had a major bowel op, has been battling with Haringey Council ever since to get it back.
The “struggling” mum told The Sun while she fights to get her badge she’s having to park away from stores and is finding it extremely difficult.
She said: “I went to visit a friend in Haringey and parked in a disabled bay on the road where around 10 other cars with badges were also parked.
“I was sat in my friend’s window and then all of a sudden saw my car being towed away. I ran out but I was too late.
“I had my medical supplies in the car, my baby’s car seat and all of his food. It was really stressful and really bad.
“It’s just a big mess. I had a major bowel operation in February, I have Crohn’s.
“I think people saw me get out of the car with a baby and thought ‘she doesn’t look disabled’ and reported me to the council.
“I’m in a lot of agony and pain. Yesterday, I went to Sainsbury’s and I had to park so far away from my car. I’m really struggling. It’s such a shame.
“I’m suffering a lot. I have a hospital appointment in central London next week, but I don’t have my badge so I can’t park outside in a disabled bay.
“I’m not sure how I’m going to get there.
“It’s really shocking and disgusting they could do this to someone who is so ill.”
Despite the badge being issued by Ealing Council years ago, Haringey Council has taken control of the investigation.
Zoya added: “The compound told me they could release my car for £265 but the badge had to be seized because they thought it was a replica.
“It was returned to Haringey Council, [because of where my car was towed], who said it’s being investigated for fraud.
“Ealing Council issued it to me and I had all the evidence of the badge when I went to collect the car.
“The two councils are now communicating with each other about releasing it to me.
“I’ve had no communication from Haringey since last week.”
Ealing Council told The Sun it has not heard from Haringey about the seized blue badge.
Haringey Council said: “As a council we have taken major steps to stop Blue Badge misuse to protect the rights of disabled people who rely on their permit to get around the borough.
“Our officers took the right action when they saw a cancelled permit displayed in the car after it had been reported lost in 2022 and a replacement issued.
“We do everything in our power to support people with disabilities and this situation would have been avoided if Zoya had destroyed or returned the cancelled permit to Ealing Council.”
Zoya confirmed she had lost her badge a few years ago but the one displayed was brand new, she claims.
What is Crohn's?
CROHN'S disease is an invisible lifelong condition that affects the digestive system - with parts becoming inflamed.
It can impact people of all ages although symptoms commonly start in childhood or early adulthood.
According to the NHS, the main symptoms are:
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach aches and cramps
- Blood in your poo
- Tiredness (fatigue)
- Weight loss
What is the treatment for Crohn’s?
While there is no cure for Crohn’s, there are treatments that can help reduce symptoms.
The main ones are:
- Medicines to reduce inflammation in the digestive system – usually steroid tablets
- Medicines to stop the inflammation coming back – either tablets or injections
- Surgery to remove a small part of the digestive system – sometimes this may be a better treatment option than medicines
What causes Crohn’s?
It’s thought several things could play a role, including:
- Your genes – you’re more likely to get it if a close family member has it
- A problem with the immune system (the body’s defence against infection) that causes it to attack the digestive system
- Smoking
- A previous stomach bug
- An abnormal balance of gut bacteria