Authorities urged to consider temporary alternatives to Blue Badge scheme

Date: 19/6/2012

Local authorities have been issued with advice on how they can help individuals with severe temporary mobility issues, but who do not qualify for the Blue Badge scheme.

Although the initiative is available to people with long-term disabilities or health issues that mean they need special parking permits, the Department for Transport (DfT) pointed out there is no such allowance in place for those with short-term issues.

These could include stroke, brain injury, amputation of lower limbs, double joint replacement or another kind of major trauma that reduces their mobility.

As a result, the department is calling on councils to look at ways in which they can cater for these individuals.

"We would like to encourage local authorities to consider setting up locally determined parking concessions to assist the recovery of residents who have recently undergone major surgery or suffered serious illness," a report from the DfT stated.

There are currently more than 2.5 million disabled badge holders in England and under the scheme, they receive preferential parking concessions. Usually, Blue Badges are issued for a period of three years. Although the government has considered making those with short-term problems eligible for the initiative, it has deemed this too costly and noted it would make it harder for existing Blue Badge holders to find parking spaces.

The initiative gives them the right to park on double or single yellow lines for up to three hours, unless there are loading or unloading restrictions. They can also use on-street parking meters and pay-and-display machines for free, or park in disabled bays.

Some authorities already have locally-determined schemes in place. For example the London Borough of Enfield and the London Borough of Hillingdon operate a Brown Badge scheme that allows older residents to park in designated spaces. However, they are not permitted to park in Blue Badge bays or on yellow lines.

Many authorities also offer parking concession badges for those who care for sick and disabled people, while Liverpool City Council regularly considers requests from people asking for temporary parking allowances.

Posted by Mary Treen