Hundreds in Cumbria fined for not displaying blue badge
More than 1,000 fines were issued by a council last year for the incorrect use of disabled parking spaces.In 2024, Westmorland and Furness Council in Cumbria handed out 1,100 penalty charge notices (PCNs) for parking in a disabled person's designated on-street parking space without displaying a blue badge, a freedom of information (FOI) request found.The Liberal Democrat-led authority also gave out 259 fines to people wrongly parking in an off-street disabled parking space. A spokesperson for the council said: "It is vital that all motorists respect designated spaces for Blue Badge holders, ensuring they remain available for those who need them most."
Deputy leader of the council's Conservative group Matt Brereton said people should not abuse disabled parking spaces but added there was an "issue" around access to town centres."As much as we encourage people to leave the car at home, there's no way a slightly older person or anyone with lots of shopping or two young children is going to go in and out of town centre without the car," he said. Brereton told the Local Democracy Reporting Service some of the car parks had bays that were "too narrow"."One of the biggest issues we can solve at a stroke is to enhance the availability and accessibility of town centre parking," he added.
A spokesperson for Westmorland and Furness Council said it was "dedicated to keeping parking accessible for everyone" and that its officers issued PCNs where necessary "to address inappropriate parking".It added: "Pass holders must also adhere to the terms and conditions of use to protect the integrity of the scheme, promoting fairness and accessibility for all."
Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Blue Badge update for people making a new claim for parking permit this summer
Local councils across Great Britain issue Blue Badges to people for up to three years. The UK Government recently confirmed that 90 per cent of all Blue Badge applications are being made through the online service. The Department for Transport also said it runs a 'programme of continuous improvement to the digital service to make online badge applications quicker and easier for applicants and local authorities'. Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood added that this programme also includes 'undertaking specific research and testing to identify innovative improvements to the online application process'. The written response came after Reform UK MP Lee Anderson asked what steps are being taken to 'reduce processing times for applications to the Blue Badge digital service'. The Blue Badge Digital Service offers a national online application and badge management facility through The latest statistics from the Department for Transport and Transport Scotland show there are currently more than 2.8 million Blue Badge holders in England (2.57m) and Scotland (235,779). The eligibility criteria for a Blue Badge was extended in 2019 to include individuals with non-visible disabilities such as Parkinson's, dementia and epilepsy to help more people park closer to the places they want to go when they travel as a driver, or a passenger. Most users will be aware their Blue Badge has an expiry date of three years from the point of issue, however, many may not be aware that renewal is not automatic and an application should be made 12 weeks (three months) before it expires to ensure the new permit arrives before the current one is no longer valid. Blue Badge holders could face a hefty £1,000 fine if they continue to display it after it has expired. This is because displaying an out of date Blue Badge is classed as 'misuse'. Transport Scotland guidance states: 'Misuse of a badge is a crime. You may be prosecuted if you misuse a badge.' Permit holders may also not be aware that applying for a Blue Badge early has no impact on the current Badge as the new one starts the day after the current one expires. It's also worth noting that once the local council has approved and processed the application, it usually arrives within 10 working days. Eligibility for a Blue Badge is also reviewed every time a renewal application is submitted. Guidance on explains: 'Your Blue Badge is not renewed automatically. You need to reapply for it every 3 years. 'Your eligibility will be checked every time you reapply. This is to make sure you can still get a Blue Badge. Your local council processes your application and decides if you can get a Blue Badge. 'You should reapply 12 weeks before your badge expires.' A Blue Badge costs £20 in Scotland, up to £10 in England and is free in Wales. You can reapply for your Blue Badge on the site here. How to renew a Blue Badge online You will need a recent digital photo showing your head and shoulders. You'll also need a photo or scan of your: proof of identity (such as a birth certificate, passport or driving licence) proof of address (such as a Council Tax bill or government letter) proof of benefits (if you get any) You will also need to know: your National Insurance number (if you have one) the details of your current Blue Badge You can start the application online and save the information you enter if you need to look for the required documents. You can easily return to it later and complete the process. Change of details name address council area contact details Top 10 things to remember when using your Blue Badge You must follow the rules when using your Blue Badge, if you don't you are committing a crime You can only use your Blue Badge as a driver or passenger No-one else should use your badge if you are not in the vehicle with them If you are not getting out of the vehicle, you should not use your Blue Badge to get a parking space You must not let other people use your badge You must display your Blue Badge the right way up so the number can be seen clearly and your photo is face down You must apply for a new badge before your old badge runs out If your badge gets damaged you must apply for a new one Keep your badge safe. If it is lost or stolen, you must tell the police and the Local Council Check signs to make sure that Blue Badge holders are allowed to park there
Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Are you automatically entitled to a Blue Badge? See the full list and how to apply
Some motorists are able to get a Blue Badge for parking but many might not realise A Blue Badge helps people with disabilities or health conditions to park closer to their destinations and is a lifeline for those who need them when going about their daily lives. But there are many drivers who might be eligible for one as they automatically qualify for it. When applying for the badge you can apply on behalf of yourself or for another person. Blue Badges are also available for organisations that transport people who need the parking concession. In Scotland a Blue Badge costs £20. The badges are usually valid for a period of up to three years and there are currently more than 3.2 million Blue Badge holders across the UK, including 271,966 living in Scotland. There are guidelines for applying and, of course, eligibility criteria. But some people might automatically qualify and others who might well be eligible if they meet certain criteria. Applicants will need to provide documents when applying and this includes those who receive DWP disability benefits such as Personal Independence Payments (PIP), reports Chronicle Live. You can see the exact guidelines on PIP and Blue Badges below and more information can be found here. And you can apply for a Blue Badge here. Who can automatically get a Blue Badge? You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged three or over and at least one of the following applies: you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can't walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the 'moving around' activity of the mobility component) you are registered blind (severely sight impaired) you receive a War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the 'planning and following journeys' activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress. The Department for Transport has clarified the rules around Blue Badge eligibility. It stated: "If you have any score other than 10 points under descriptor E, in the 'planning and following journeys' activity of PIP you may still be eligible for a Blue Badge, but you do not automatically qualify. "This includes if you have a higher score of 12. You will have to provide evidence to demonstrate your eligibility which will be assessed as part of your application." Who might qualify for a blue badge? Eligibility criteria for obtaining a Blue Badge include: you cannot walk at all you cannot walk without help from someone else or using mobility aids you find walking very difficult due to pain, breathlessness or the time it takes walking is dangerous to your health and safety you have a life limiting illness, which means you cannot walk or find walking very difficult and have a SR1 form you have a severe disability in both arms and drive regularly, but cannot operate pay-and-display parking machines you have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means the child always needs to be accompanied by bulky medical equipment you have a child under the age of three with a medical condition that means the child must always be kept near a vehicle in case they need emergency medical treatment you are constantly a significant risk to yourself or others near vehicles, in traffic or car parks you struggle severely to plan or follow a journey you find it difficult or impossible to control your actions and lack awareness of the impact you could have on others you regularly have intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control you frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces According to the Department for Transport's guidelines say: "Your local council will decide if you are eligible for a badge. They cannot start the assessment process until they have all the necessary evidence. "It may take 12 weeks or longer to assess your application. If they decide that you are not eligible and you think that they did not take account of all the facts, you can ask them to consider your application again." What are the documents needed to apply for a Blue Badge? To apply for a badge, you need to provide: proof of identity proof of address a recent head and shoulders digital photo your national insurance number (if you have one) contact details (phone number, email and postal address) Proof of identity options include providing either: birth or adoption certificate passport driving licence marriage or civil partnership certificate divorce or dissolution certificate You can prove your address by producing: a recent council tax bill a recent letter from a Government department such as Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) driving licence a recent letter from a school (if you are under 16) Applicants who believe they are entitled to a Blue Badge through certain benefits must show proof of these benefits. For those qualifying via PIP, information on their mobility assessment scores and the end date of their award, where relevant, is required. You'll also be required to present evidence of the PIP award. This should be the three pages from the DWP letter, clearly displaying entitlement to PIP (front page), assessment scores (penultimate page) and mobility scores (final page). For DLA, you'll need to know your rate of the mobility component and the award end date (if applicable). You'll also be asked to provide proof of the DLA award. This should be the most recent letter from DWP, clearly showing mobility rating, certificate of entitlement to DLA and the date of the letter. Proof of eligibility The Department for Transport clarifies that if you are applying without one of the benefits, the application will need to be assessed by the issuing local council. To assist in assessing the application, you'll be asked to provide additional information based on the answers you give when checking eligibility. If you have difficulty walking or cannot walk, or you have a non-visible (hidden) condition, you will be asked to provide details of any relevant medication taken, relevant treatments received or due to be received, and healthcare or associated professionals involved with the treatment of your condition. You will be asked if you wish to upload supporting documents. These could include prescriptions, diagnosis letters or correspondence between professionals treating your condition. If you struggle with walking or find it challenging, you will be asked questions about how your condition impacts your ability to walk. If you have a non-visible (hidden) condition, you will also be asked questions about how your journeys between your vehicle and destination are affected by your condition.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Herefordshire Council plans to bring car park machines up to date
Car park ticket machines in Herefordshire are set to be upgraded for more reliable Council, which operates 32 public car parks around the county, is seeking interest from firms that could replace or retrofit the current stock of pay-and-display machines and improve their performance and 54 current car park machines are about 12 years old, and 15 of them only accept coins. A spokesman for the council said it was "an early-stage exercise whereby the council is seeking information and feedback from the market on a range of possible solutions". The council also wants the contractor to improve card service processing, install vehicle registration mark keypads, and manage and maintain the machines process transactions using 4G modems, but some areas have "limited signal strength, resulting in a considerable delay to customers making card payments", council papers for the upgraded machines include offering better connectivity and linking vehicle registration numbers to council also wants to know whether replacing some or all of the machines would be more cost-effective and whether machines could be adapted to potential changes in the future, such as adding emission-based is seeking responses by 20 June, with procurement of services to come later. The plan is to have new machines installed by next February, council papers said. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
