DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (029) issued by The Government News Network
on 27 March 2007
Transport Minister
Gillian Merron today announced a consultation on changes to the
scheme for disabled parking badges. The new regulations will be in
place by September 2007.
The main changes proposed include:
* extending the scheme to children under two who are dependent
upon bulky medical equipment
* extending the scheme to people with severe congenital
disabilities in both arms, so that all those with Thalidomide
related disabilities would be eligible
* including a hologram on the badge as a security measure
Gillian Merron also announced a three month strategic review of
the scheme, which will contribute to a comprehensive Blue Badge
Reform strategy, to be published in 2008. The upcoming reforms
will help make the scheme fairer, more consistent, tougher on
fraud and easier to understand.
Gillian Merron said:
"The Blue Badge Scheme provides a vital lifeline to many
disabled people in our communities. Without them, basic things
like getting to work, going shopping or to the hospital for
medical treatment would be much more difficult.
"The changes we are proposing will help ensure that Blue
Badges continue to meet the needs of disabled people. We want the
people who need a badge to get one, and stamp out abuse of the scheme.
Notes to Editors
1. The consultation will end on 19 June 2007.
2. The Disabled Person's Parking Badge Scheme ("the
Blue Badge Scheme") was introduced in 1971 to provide a
national arrangement of on-street parking concessions for disabled
people, allowing them to access goods and services more easily.
3. The proposed changes in the consultation are in line with
recommendations from a Disabled Transport Advisory Committee
(DPTAC) report from 2002.
4. A forthcoming strategic review will address all the
outstanding DPTAC recommendations, including the future
eligibility criteria and period of badge issue.
5. Copies of the consultation package are available from:
Mobility and Inclusion Unit
Department for Transport
Zone
4/22
Great Minster House
76 Marsham
Street
London
SW1P 4DR
Tel: 0207 944 3590
Email:
blue.badge@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/
6. This consultation covers England only.
Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk