Blue Badge holders and Decriminalised Parking Enforcement
How will the way in which parking regulations are enforced affect you?
If you are a Blue Badge holder the changes should be positive. Now that parking regulations are being effectively enforced it is expected that fewer non Blue Badge holders will illegally park in designated disabled parking bays.
It is a criminal offence for non-disabled people to use a Blue Badge and offenders can be fined up to £1,000. It is also a criminal offence to drive a vehicle displaying a Blue Badge unless the badge holder is in the vehicle, except in very specific circumstances.
The rules which apply to where Blue Badge holders are allowed to park, providing they are displaying the correct badge, will not change. Blue Badge holders must, of course, display their Blue Badge in the correct manner and their clock whenever parking on double yellow lines.
Everyone eligible for a Blue Badge receives a copy of the Department for Transport's (DfT) 13 page "Blue Badge Scheme" booklet. This clearly explains what parking concessions are permitted (and what are not) and what the badge holder's responsibilities are with regard to use of the badge. To read up to date information on the scheme visit the DfT website or the Direct Government website. Fraudulent use of badges is a major problem nationwide. Badges must not be lent to friends or relatives and will be withdrawn if the holder misuses it. The Traffic Management Act 2004 provides Council Parking Attendants with powers to inspect Blue Badges.
The old Orange Badge is no longer legal. Disabled drivers must display a Blue Badge, which is recognised by all Member countries of the European Union.
Time Square car park
Drivers of vehicles displaying a Blue Badge will continue to enjoy free parking in the Council car parks except for the SEQ (Time Square) car park (next to B&M Store). Blue Badge holders can only get free parking on the SEQ if they are able to park in one of the 6 designated bays to the right hand side of the entry road. If those 6 spaces are all full, and Blue Badge holders decide to park elsewhere on this car park, even Blue Badge holders MUST pay and display to avoid a Penalty Charge Notice (Parking Ticket).
Market multi -storey
Blue Badge holders who use the Market multi storey car park need to show their Blue Badge and ticket to the Parking Attendant in the office on level 6 before they return to their vehicle prior to leaving the car park on each and every visit. The Attendant will process their ticket and then return it to them to enable free exit through the barrier.
