Changes to Blue European parking badges
Blue badges are changing.
From January next year (2012), you will have to use a new national application form to apply for a new blue badge or renew your old one.
Forms are available from www.fifedirect.org.uk/bluebadge or www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/blue-badge-scheme or by calling 0845155 00 66. You can also apply online at www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/blue-badge-scheme
Note from FIDN: You used to get reminding letters when your blue badge was about to need replacing but that is no longer the case. You now have to make sure yourself when your Blue Badge about to expire and apply for a replacement.
1. Current badges remain valid until their expiry dates so badge holders of “old style” badges should continue to use these until their expiry date and should be advised to apply for a new badge around 6 weeks before the expiry date, as they do at present.
New style badges will be issued from January.
2. All applications may take up to 28 days to be processed from January
3. Information will be available shortly including in the local press.
4. There will be both an on-line and a paper application. The new paper application will be available as at present - through the Contact Centre 08451 55 00 66, by e-mail from European.ParkingBadges@fife.gov.uk or from Fife Direct. The form can be posted back (the number of pages mean it will be a large letter) or handed into a Local Office. Proof of identity and address is required but if handed in at a local office, original documents can be copied and given back there and then.
5. It is hoped that the new form will be available from later this week.
6. Everyone with a badge due to expire between 1/1/12 and 31/3/12 will receive a letter telling them about the changes and advising them of the following ways to apply:
More information about blue badges and the changes to the scheme is available on FISH and Fife Direct and from Transport Scotland. Links below:
http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/road/blue-badge-scheme
www.fifedirect.org.uk/BlueBadge
Fife Independent Disability Network have asked the following question. Do you know the answer or who can they contact for details
'ask the question were will people have to go to renew their badge or will it be a postal system, also how long will the process take. What will be the lead time for people to apply for renewal.'
Most of the above is from:
Karrie Grant
Policy Officer
Equality Unit
Corporate Services
Fife Council
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