Menu
20/10/2008
Multi-Million Pound Crackdown On Disabled Badge Misuse
New steps to give councils the power to put a stop to the misuse of blue disabled parking badges have been announced by the Government.
Transport Minister Paul Clark announced the radical overhaul, which would see £55 million dedicated to ensuring the disabled parking scheme meets the needs of the 21st Century.
For the first time, the Government is looking to give councils the power to confiscate stolen or forged Blue Badges immediately when they find them.
This is to help reduce Blue Badge associated vehicle crime, as well as safeguarding key parking, close to vital services, for those who need it most.
Some 73% of respondents to the recent Blue Badge consultation highlighted this as key way to fight abuse of the scheme.
The biggest review of the Blue Badge, since it was created in 1971, will also enable more people than ever to retain their independence asa the strategy commits to extending the scheme to seriously disabled Armed Forces personnel and veterans, people with temporary but serious mobility problems, young children with specific disabilities and individuals with severe mental impairments.
To support immediate confiscation of misused badges a £10m national data sharing system will be established by councils to ensure stolen or forged Badges from outside their local area can be easily identified for the first time.
The Department for Transport is also looking at new technologies to make Badges harder to forge, including barcodes that can be read through windscreens.
Use of a disabled badge by an able-bodied person carries a fine of up to £1,000.
One of every 200 badges is stolen, and some London boroughs are dealing with hundreds of cases per year of stolen, forged or misused badges.
(JM)
Transport Minister Paul Clark announced the radical overhaul, which would see £55 million dedicated to ensuring the disabled parking scheme meets the needs of the 21st Century.
For the first time, the Government is looking to give councils the power to confiscate stolen or forged Blue Badges immediately when they find them.
This is to help reduce Blue Badge associated vehicle crime, as well as safeguarding key parking, close to vital services, for those who need it most.
Some 73% of respondents to the recent Blue Badge consultation highlighted this as key way to fight abuse of the scheme.
The biggest review of the Blue Badge, since it was created in 1971, will also enable more people than ever to retain their independence asa the strategy commits to extending the scheme to seriously disabled Armed Forces personnel and veterans, people with temporary but serious mobility problems, young children with specific disabilities and individuals with severe mental impairments.
To support immediate confiscation of misused badges a £10m national data sharing system will be established by councils to ensure stolen or forged Badges from outside their local area can be easily identified for the first time.
The Department for Transport is also looking at new technologies to make Badges harder to forge, including barcodes that can be read through windscreens.
Use of a disabled badge by an able-bodied person carries a fine of up to £1,000.
One of every 200 badges is stolen, and some London boroughs are dealing with hundreds of cases per year of stolen, forged or misused badges.
(JM)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 February 2011
Government Crackdown On Blue Badge Abuse
The Government is implementing major reforms to crack down on drivers who abuse the disabled parking system as part of the most comprehensive changes to the Blue Badge scheme for 40 years, Transport Minister Norman Baker announced today. Blue Badges provide a vital lifeline to over 2.
Government Crackdown On Blue Badge Abuse
The Government is implementing major reforms to crack down on drivers who abuse the disabled parking system as part of the most comprehensive changes to the Blue Badge scheme for 40 years, Transport Minister Norman Baker announced today. Blue Badges provide a vital lifeline to over 2.
22 March 2010
Overhaul Of Blue Badge Parking
Councils will be given new ways of preventing and clamping down on Blue Badge abuse as part of a package of proposals for a radical overhaul of the scheme. The Blue Badge Scheme provides a vital facility to around 2.5 million disabled people every year by prioritising key parking spaces close to important services, for those who need it most.
Overhaul Of Blue Badge Parking
Councils will be given new ways of preventing and clamping down on Blue Badge abuse as part of a package of proposals for a radical overhaul of the scheme. The Blue Badge Scheme provides a vital facility to around 2.5 million disabled people every year by prioritising key parking spaces close to important services, for those who need it most.
29 July 2013
Govt Consider Double Yellow Line 'Grace Period'
In a plan aiming to boost the high street, the government are considering allowing drivers to park for up to fifteen minutes on double yellow lines. It is understood that the plan would allow drivers a fifteen minute "grace period" to park on the otherwise restricted sections of road.
Govt Consider Double Yellow Line 'Grace Period'
In a plan aiming to boost the high street, the government are considering allowing drivers to park for up to fifteen minutes on double yellow lines. It is understood that the plan would allow drivers a fifteen minute "grace period" to park on the otherwise restricted sections of road.
29 November 2004
All trains to accommodate disabled passengers by 2020
Transport Minister Charlotte Atkins revealed today that by 2020 all trains in the UK will accommodate disabled passengers. The announcement follows the recent introduction of the Disability Discrimination Bill in the House of Lords and continues the government's efforts to provide a transport system which respects the needs of all travellers.
All trains to accommodate disabled passengers by 2020
Transport Minister Charlotte Atkins revealed today that by 2020 all trains in the UK will accommodate disabled passengers. The announcement follows the recent introduction of the Disability Discrimination Bill in the House of Lords and continues the government's efforts to provide a transport system which respects the needs of all travellers.
12 June 2003
Viewers 'more accepting' than broadcasters of disabled on TV
Television viewers seem to be ahead of broadcast professionals when it comes to the depiction of disabled people on television, according to research published today.
Viewers 'more accepting' than broadcasters of disabled on TV
Television viewers seem to be ahead of broadcast professionals when it comes to the depiction of disabled people on television, according to research published today.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
