Bromley Council has prosecuted a record number of motorists for blue badge offences in the first two months of this year. The authority announced on April 23 that 24 people in the borough had been fined as a result of abusing the scheme.
Fines issued to the offenders reportedly totalled £16,234, with one person being ordered to pay £1,347 in fines and court costs. The authority said 13 of the cases included blue badges being displayed which had been cancelled. This consisted of five stolen badges, six in which the original badge holders had passed away and two badges which had been previously cancelled for being lost.
The 11 other cases regarded motorists who had failed to provide information relating to the identification of a driver. Seven of these cases included stolen badges being displayed, while three cases involved badges in which the original holder had passed away and one badge was displayed after it had been cancelled for being reported as lost.
The council claimed the legal action was the result of the authority’s continuing campaign to protect the scheme for genuinely disabled individuals. It added that the badges allowed the offending drivers to take advantage of parking concessions they were not entitled to.
A Bromley Council spokesperson said in a statement: “We are actively enforcing the blue badge scheme every day and those tempted to misuse a blue badge should be in no doubt that they will face prosecution. Blue badge misuse has a direct impact on the lives of genuine blue badge holders.”
They added: “The scheme helps blue badge holders park close to their destination, so when spaces set aside for them are misused, this has a real impact, with the badge holder having to abandon their trip for instance.”
The past year has reportedly seen 80 prosecutions take place for similar offences related to blue badge misuse offences in Bromley. The council said blue badges must be returned to the issuing authority if the badge expires, is damaged or if the holder is no longer eligible or passes away.
The Department for Transport has shared an update on processing times for new and renewal applications for the Blue Badge scheme. Guy Opperman MP explained that the end-to-end journey time takes around 12 weeks and that local authorities are “solely responsible for administering the scheme, including issuing the badges”.
He added that there are “no timescales set for administering applications”, but guidelines suggest local councils aim to complete them within the 12 weeks timeframe. Mr Opperma’s comments came after Labour MP Ian Lavery asked if the the Department for Transport is “taking steps to reduce processing times for Blue Badge applications”.
In a written response on Monday, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary added: “The Department has a programme of continuous improvement to the Blue Badge Digital Service. Working closely with local authorities and citizen users as part of its National Disability Strategy commitments, the Department’s aim is to make online badge applications quicker and easier for both applicants and local authorities.”
If you have a physical disability or health condition that affects your walking ability, or have a hidden illness such as dementia, autism or Parkinson’s, you may be able to get a Blue Badge to help you park closer to the places you want to go.
A Blue Badge holder travelling either as a driver or a passenger can park for free in disabled parking bays and you may be exempt from other parking restrictions.
However, many people who have a Blue Badge may be unaware that it can also be used with any car that you are travelling in – at any time of the day – including taxis. This simple piece of plastic can also be used abroad, although since Brexit the UK Government is currently negotiating which EU countries will still accept it.
The simple piece of blue plastic only costs £20 in Scotland and is valid for three years. There is no set processing time for new applications or renewals, but it can take around 12 weeks. Your local council processes Blue Badge applications and sets the price – they will be able to advise how long it might take.
Below is everything you need to know about the Blue Badge application process.
Who can get a Blue Badge?
In some cases, you may automatically qualify for a Blue Badge and in others, your local council will assess your eligibility. This may include going to a mobility assessment and meeting a healthcare professional.
You will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge in Scotland if you:
are under 16 and have a letter confirming your eligibility from your visual impairment care team
are 16 or over and registered or certified as severely sight impaired
get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
get Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and scored 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ area of your assessment
get PIP and scored 12 points in the ‘planning and following a journey’ area of your assessment
get PIP and used to get the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA on an indefinite or lifetime basis
get PIP, used to get the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA, and your PIP decision is being appealed
get Adult Disability Payment (ADP) and have been awarded either 8 points or more in the Moving Around activity or 12 points in the Planning and Following a Journey activity or enhanced rate mobility without reference to points
get the higher rate of the mobility component of Child Disability Payment
get War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
got a lump sum payment from tariffs 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability
Who else could qualify for a Blue Badge?
If you are not automatically eligible, you may be able to get a Blue Badge in certain circumstances.
For example, if you:
have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you cannot walk at all
have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means you’re virtually unable to walk
regularly drive and cannot use parking meters because of a severe disability in both arms
are responsible for a child under 3-years-old who needs to be kept close to a vehicle for medical treatment
are responsible for a child under 3-years-old who uses bulky medical equipment that cannot be carried around
have a mental health condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic when making journeys
Where can I park with my Blue Badge?
You can use your Blue Badge to park in certain restricted areas for free, including:
at on-street parking meters
in pay and display bays
in disabled parking spaces
on single and double yellow lines if there are no loading restrictions
Using your badge in other parts of the UK
You can use your Blue Badge in most other countries. If you’re using your Blue Badge in England or Wales you will need to use a parking clock – this comes with your Blue Badge.
The Timer Clock is a plastic dial with hands that can be adjusted to show the time of parking arrival.
What do I need to apply?
Applications are made online to your local council and you’ll need a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders – you can take this picture yourself.
You will also need a photo or scan of your:
proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence)
proof of address such as a Council Tax bill or government letter – you can also choose to have your local council check the Electoral Register instead
proof of benefits – if you get any
You will also need to know:
your National Insurance number
the details of your current Blue Badge – if you’re reapplying
Once you apply, your local council will process your application and give you a decision.
If you are turned down
Your local council should tell you why you’re not eligible. You can ask them to reconsider their decision if you think they haven’t taken into account some important information.
Originally Publish By Joe Coughlan