Disabled Motoring UK - Disabled Motoring UK is the charity for disabled drivers, passengers & Blue Badge holders.

The British Parking Association (BPA), the largest professional association in Europe representing organisations in the parking and traffic management industry, today highlights the perils of parking for Blue Badge holders when the car parks are busy, as they are in the January sales. The sales period means traffic is congested and drivers are stressed, leading to the increased appeal of parking in a Blue Badge bay, where the motorist is not entitled. If motorists park in these bays without a badge they are inconveniencing those drivers who need them most and are probably breaking the law.

A survey, conducted by the British Parking Association in the autumn, focused on the public’s opinions on the use and misuse of Blue Badge bays. The survey revealed that 73% of motorists feel that people wrongly parking in Blue Badge bays designated for disabled drivers should be clamped or towed away.

Finding a parking bay during the January sales is hard enough, but with limited access for Blue Badge holders, there is a real need for bays to be clear. The British Parking Association survey found that 70% of respondents agreed that there should be stronger enforcement of Blue Badge and parent and child bays. Yet next year the government plans to ban clamping and towing away on private land under its Protection of Freedoms Bill, leading to a likely increase in abuse of Blue Badge bays which will directly affect disabled people directly.

Other results from the survey included 23% of respondents admitting that they would risk getting a parking ticket when in a rush, whereas 90% said they wouldn’t risk getting clamped or towed when in a rush. This further emphasises the need for clamping and towing away as a crucial deterrent in managing Blue Badge bay areas.

Chief Executive of the British Parking Association, Patrick Troy, said: “The January sales period can be a busy time of year, with car parks more in demand than they have been for the rest of the year. Blue Badge holders, have those badges for a reason. When people decide to take it upon themselves to park in a Blue Badge bay they are causing unnecessary stress to those that need the spaces. We are simply asking shoppers to think about the reason there are dedicated Blue Badge bays in the first place.”

Director of Policy and Campaigns at Disabled Motoring UK, Helen Dolphin, said: “If it is difficult this year to stop people from parking in Blue Badge bays it will be even more difficult next year of the Government proceeds with its proposed ban”

Blue Badge holder, Richard Powderhill, said “I find it highly frustrating and inconvenient when motorists without Blue Badges park in specifically reserved bays for those who hold a badge as they have mobility difficulties. I feel the abusive use of these bays will continue and potentially get worse unless there are strict measures kept in place that allow these motorists to be clamped and towed away. I’m sure many other Blue Badge holders mirror my opinion that freeing up these bays is essential, especially during the busy sales period.”

For more information or if you have any questions about the advise that the BPA gives please go to click here

Bench Cottages won Disabled Motoring UK’s Best Accessible Accommodation Award 2011. Mary Lewis shares her experience of providing accessible accommodation and the realisation of Bench Cottages.  

Thank you to all the members who have found our advert over the last 11 years and come to stay at Our Bench Cottages in the New Forest, and an extra special thank you if you nominated us for the “Best Accessible Accommodation award for 2011” I am delighted to have met you. Continue reading »

Major reforms have now been brought into effect to crack down on Blue Badge fraud and abuse. 

As of the 1 January 2012 in England and Scotland, local authorities  will only legally be able to issue new design Blue Badges. Wales will start to issue the new design from April 2012. In the new design we will see very significant changes which will be much harder to copy, forge and alter. The new Badge will be made from fused PVC layers, use complex printing patterns like those used in passports, and include holographic features, Braille and a digital photograph. The Badge will be printed and distributed from a single specialist printer, Payne Security.

The new charging policy will be introduced in Scotland and England; Scottish authorities will now be able to charge up to £20.00 for a Blue Badge and English authorities up to £10.00. 

The online application process is now in place and can be accessed at www.direct.gov.uk  

For the full announcement from the Department for Transport please click here

Last month Diabled Motoring UK was contacted by numerous disabled people worried about the changes to the Motability scheme. The main areas of complaint were the fact that vehicles are now restricted to an Advance Payment of £2,000 and the nominated driver has to live within five miles.

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The Welsh Government has announced that their aim is to offer disabled people a Blue Badge free of charge. In England local authorities will be able to charge up to £10.00, and in Scotland up to £20.00.

The Welsh Government propose that they will fund the scheme by changing the law so notices about road works no longer have to be published in the local press. They currently estimate that £1 million pounds is spent per year placing such regulation orders.

Helen Dolphin, Disabled Motoring UK’s Director of Policy and Campaigns, said: ”I made our charity’s position very clear when I responded to the Welsh Government consultation that there should be no charge for a Blue Badge and I’m delighted that the Government has found another way to fund this scheme.”

The National Union of Journalists in Wales (NUJ) support the decision about making the Blue Badges free to disabled people, but criticise the way the government propose to pay for the scheme. The placement of such regulation orders provides much needed to income to an industry that has already seen a decline in advertising income. Ken Smith, chairman of the NUJ, said: “The union has no doubt that if this is allowed to happen, jobs will be lost and the survival of titles put in doubt.”

The Independent Living Fund is a national resource to help disabled people live independent lives in the community rather than in residential care. The fund can be used to employ people to give personal and domestic care in your home.  In 2010 the government announced the fund would be scrapped in 2015 and it immediately closed to new applicants.

Local authorities have had their budgets slashed so now only provide basic care. The loss of ILF will mean that many disabled people will have no choice but to go into residential care, or place more responsibility on family carers.

To sign the e-petition to try to change this decision click here

Often looking for accommodation can be a lengthy process, hotels which claim to be ‘disabled friendly’ are often far from it and personal recommendations are valuable to our members. We hear from three of our members how accessible destinations made for carefree and enjoyable holidays. Continue reading »

Disability History Month provides an annual focus for the wider community to develop more positive attitudes towards disabled people and aids better understanding of the barriers disabled people face in society. Continue reading »

Disabled Motoring UK welcomes the news that plans to axe mobility benefit payments to disabled people living in care homes are being dropped. The Government had planned to cut the “mobility” part of Disability Living Allowance – currently worth £51 per week – for those in residential care, claiming that existing Local Authority contracts with care homes should cover residents’ mobility needs. Continue reading »

Most councils and other issuing authorities have a clear appeals procedure that must be followed. This will vary depending on whether the ticket was issued on-street or off-street. Unfortunately appealing any kind of ticket usually involves plenty of form-filling! However, as long as you include all the mitigating circumstances, many people will have their appeal succeed at the initial stage. Continue reading »