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 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 DirectGov 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 Badges must not be lent to friends or relatives and will be withdrawn if the holder misuses it.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 six designated bays to the right hand side of the entry road. If those six 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

The car park provides marked parking spaces for disabled people on level six.

When using a disabled parking bay you must display your disabled blue badge on the dasbboard or facia panel, where it can be clearly read through the front windscreen. The front of the badge should face upwards, showing the wheelchair symbol.

To enable free exit, take your ticket and disabled blue badge to the office on Level 6 BEFORE returning to your vehicle prior to leaving the car park. The attendant in the office will process your ticket and return it to you, which will enable your free exit through the barrier.

Last updated 16/02/2010 12:32:53

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