New measurers to tackle abuse of the Blue Badge Scheme for disabled people will come into force from 29 September 2006, Transport Minister Gillian Merron announced yesterday.

Once the power take effect the police, traffic wardens, local authority parking attendants and civil enforcement officers will be able to inspect blue badges as part of their other parking enforcement functions.  It will be an offence if a person refuses, without reasonable excuse, to produce a badge for inspection – punishable on conviction by a fine of up to £1,000.

Gillian Merron said:

“Abuse of the Blue Badge Scheme is a serious issue that not only affects disabled badge holders, but anyone who needs to find a parking space.

“These new measurers will strengthen the existing powers and will mean that it is far easier to identify people who are abusing the Scheme and to bring them to book.”

The new power will help ensure that the Scheme continues to benefit those disabled people with the greatest mobility problems who need to park closer to their destination.

Notes to Editors

1.      The Blue Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers.  The Scheme also applies to registered blind people, and people with very severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel by hand.

2.      The Blue Badge Scheme is administered by individual local authorities. Local authorities already have powers to ask for a badge to be returned if it has been misused and led to at least three relevant convictions.  Local authorities can also refuse to issue a badge if they believe it is going to be misused.

3.      The Commencement Order comes into force on 29 September 2006.  It brings into force powers under section 94 of the Traffic Management Act 2004.

4.      When the new power are introduced, police, traffic wardens, parking attendants and civil enforcement officer will be able to ask to see the blue badge and it will be an offence to fail to produce the badge without good reason.

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300

Department for Transport Website: www.dft.gov.uk

Ellaine Wilson

Access Development Administor