New Blue Badge parking space finder to help millions of people across UK
More than 3.2 million Blue Badge holders across the UK can now use a new online tool to help them find a free, designated parking bay anywhere in Scotland, England and Wales. New analysis by Confused.com has revealed that for every Blue Badge parking bay there are 52 scheme users - travelling as a driver or a passenger - potentially competing for each space.
While the chances of every Blue Badge holder trying to use all 63,000 parking spaces at the same time is unlikely to happen, the grim reality is that Blue Badge parking space s are not always available when someone needs to use one.
To help permit holders find Blue Badge bays in any part of the country - particularly handy if you're travelling somewhere unfamiliar - Confused.com has created an online tool to help people find them, just by entering a postcode.
Blue Badge holders and parking bays across UK
As of 2024, the number of Blue Badge spaces and permit holders across the UK, includes:
Scotland
Number of Blue Badge holders: 271,966
Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 16,808
England
Number of Blue Badge holders: 2,635,428
Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 43,604
Wales
Number of Blue Badge holders: 219,614
Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 2,588
Northern Ireland
Number of Blue Badge holders: 149,038
Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: Not available
When it comes to the number of Blue Badge spaces available for those who need them, it's also important to be aware of the growing number of people wrongly using the designated parking spot. There have been 705,310 PCNs (Penalty Charge Notices) distributed for the misuse of Blue Badge parking bays.
Blue badges are designed to make life easier for people with mobility issues, but for many, finding a space can sometimes be tricky.
A Confused.com survey found that a third (36%) of Blue Badge holders said they have turned up somewhere needing to park, only to find someone without a Blue Badge already in the space. Around the same number (34%) said there simply aren't enough accessible spaces in their area.
When there's no space available, two-thirds (65%) said they have had no choice but to park in a standard space. But that doesn't always work - especially when extra room is needed to get out of the car. Worryingly, two-in-five (40%) have even had to leave a car park altogether because there were no accessible bays free.
A third (36%) said they have avoided visiting certain places because they weren't sure they'd be able to park nearby.
In response to their findings, Confused.com have created a look-up tool to help Blue Badge holders find out how many designated parking bays are available in their local council area.
Users can also use the tool to look up Blue Badge spaces in their area using the map online here.
Commenting on the findings, Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at Confused.com car insurance, said: 'Blue Badge parking spaces are essential for millions of drivers across the UK, but our latest research shows how easily that system struggles.
'This is especially highlighted when there isn't enough availability, and other drivers take advantage of the spaces. Shockingly, for every one Blue Badge parking bay in the UK, there are 52 permit holders who need access to it.
'If you're using a Blue Badge space without needing one, even for just a few minutes, you could be stopping someone from being able to work, shop, or attend a medical appointment. It's clear that more needs to be done, both to increase the number of accessible bays and to prevent misuse.
'If you're caught using a Blue Badge space without a permit, you could receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) costing between £70 and £100.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Daily Record
New Blue Badge parking space finder to help millions of people across UK
More than 3.2 million Blue Badge holders across the UK can now use a new online tool to help them find a free, designated parking bay anywhere in Scotland, England and Wales. New analysis by has revealed that for every Blue Badge parking bay there are 52 scheme users - travelling as a driver or a passenger - potentially competing for each space. While the chances of every Blue Badge holder trying to use all 63,000 parking spaces at the same time is unlikely to happen, the grim reality is that Blue Badge parking space s are not always available when someone needs to use one. To help permit holders find Blue Badge bays in any part of the country - particularly handy if you're travelling somewhere unfamiliar - has created an online tool to help people find them, just by entering a postcode. Blue Badge holders and parking bays across UK As of 2024, the number of Blue Badge spaces and permit holders across the UK, includes: Scotland Number of Blue Badge holders: 271,966 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 16,808 England Number of Blue Badge holders: 2,635,428 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 43,604 Wales Number of Blue Badge holders: 219,614 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: 2,588 Northern Ireland Number of Blue Badge holders: 149,038 Number of Blue Badge parking spaces: Not available When it comes to the number of Blue Badge spaces available for those who need them, it's also important to be aware of the growing number of people wrongly using the designated parking spot. There have been 705,310 PCNs (Penalty Charge Notices) distributed for the misuse of Blue Badge parking bays. Blue badges are designed to make life easier for people with mobility issues, but for many, finding a space can sometimes be tricky. A survey found that a third (36%) of Blue Badge holders said they have turned up somewhere needing to park, only to find someone without a Blue Badge already in the space. Around the same number (34%) said there simply aren't enough accessible spaces in their area. When there's no space available, two-thirds (65%) said they have had no choice but to park in a standard space. But that doesn't always work - especially when extra room is needed to get out of the car. Worryingly, two-in-five (40%) have even had to leave a car park altogether because there were no accessible bays free. A third (36%) said they have avoided visiting certain places because they weren't sure they'd be able to park nearby. In response to their findings, have created a look-up tool to help Blue Badge holders find out how many designated parking bays are available in their local council area. Users can also use the tool to look up Blue Badge spaces in their area using the map online here. Commenting on the findings, Rhydian Jones, motoring expert at car insurance, said: 'Blue Badge parking spaces are essential for millions of drivers across the UK, but our latest research shows how easily that system struggles. 'This is especially highlighted when there isn't enough availability, and other drivers take advantage of the spaces. Shockingly, for every one Blue Badge parking bay in the UK, there are 52 permit holders who need access to it. 'If you're using a Blue Badge space without needing one, even for just a few minutes, you could be stopping someone from being able to work, shop, or attend a medical appointment. It's clear that more needs to be done, both to increase the number of accessible bays and to prevent misuse. 'If you're caught using a Blue Badge space without a permit, you could receive a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) costing between £70 and £100.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
For every disabled parking bay there are 52 Blue Badge holders as scheme is exploited and oversubscribed
There are increasing concerns the Blue Badge scheme for people with disabilities is both oversubscribed and 'shockingly' exploited as cases of misuse spiral in recent years. For every disabled parking bay in the UK, there are currently 52 permit holders, according to estimations in a new report published by This is based on almost 3.3million Blue Badge holders and just 63,000 parking spaces across the country. And demand for permits continues to rise with the rate of new applications increasing by 31 per cent between 2022 and 2024. In total, 1.3million new applications were made over the three-year period - and that's on top of the 1.5million renewal applications requested by existing holders. Of these 2.8million applications in total, just 245,566 - around 9 per cent - were rejected as the scheme continues to be overwhelmed. The report follows the release of figures that revealed that reported misuse cases relating to Blue Badge misuse have increased by over 1,000 per cent in less than a decade, highlighting a 'serious and growing problem of fraud and abuse'. The comparison site said the oversubscription issue is also being exacerbated by other drivers wrongly using disabled parking spaces when they shouldn't. According to a Freedom of Information request to 207 UK councils (of which 182 responded with data), 705,310 penalty charge notices were issued for misuse of disabled parking bays between 2022 and 2024. In a poll of 2,000 UK drivers, a third (36 per cent) of those who have a blue badge (11 per cent) said they've turned up somewhere needing to park, only to find someone without a permit using designated spaces. A similar volume said there aren't enough accessible disabled spaces where they live. Two thirds said they are often left with no other option but to park in a standard-sized bay, which do not provide access for wheelchairs or to those with mobility issues, while two in five have been forced to drive elsewhere to find suitable parking provisions. Last month, the nation's parking trade association vowed to crackdown Blue Badge fraud having seen instances of misuse spiral. Instances of reported abuse of the scheme have grown from hundreds per year in 2016 to over 3,500 cases by 2023 in what the British Parking Association (BPA) called a blatant 'undermining of the integrity' of the scheme. Permit thefts are also becoming a bigger issue, with the number of Blue Badges stolen in London alone spiralling by 400 per cent between 2014 and 2023. Blue Badge misuse is deemed a criminal offence that could lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge. It can also result in court prosecution, and legal action may also be taken in circumstances where false information has been provided to acquire a Blue Badge. Rhydian Jones, commercial director at said the study highlights that the 'system is struggling' due to an imbalance of permits versus parking spaces - and other drivers abusing the rules. 'It's clear that more needs to be done - both to increase the number of accessible bays and to prevent misuse,' he said. The British Parking Association has warned there is a 'serious and growing problem of fraud and abuse of the Blue Badge scheme' Borrowing Granny's badge... The range of permit abuse identified by National Blue Badge - an enforcement agency working on behalf of local authorities to identify misuse - between 2016 and 2023 included a range of issues, from intentional theft, organised fraud, producing and selling counterfeit badges online, and using deceased people's badges. However, the most common type of abuse is the often presumed 'innocent' act of 'borrowing Granny's badge' just for free and convenient parking. 'For every badge being misused, a space has been denied to a genuine badge holder, potentially preventing them from attending appointments, socialising and being able to get around independently,' the BPA said in its May report. It went on to call for local authorities and councils to be given greater ability and mechanisms to effectively tackle the issue and put a stop to this ongoing abuse. 'Perpetrators are currently not deterred by the limited consequences for their action,' the trade body said. The most common type of scheme abuse is the often presumed 'innocent' act of 'borrowing Granny's badge' just for free and convenient parking, the BPA said Alison Tooze, policy officer at the BPA, said: 'The statistics around the level of Blue Badge misuse and fraud are shocking. 'We cannot continue to ignore this issue, especially when the victims are some of the most vulnerable in our society. 'Badge holders rely on accessible parking to carry out their day-to-day activities and for many it is a vital part of living an independent life. 'Perpetrators of blue badge misuse and fraud deprive genuine badge holders of this right to freedom, whilst costing ordinary taxpayers millions every year. This must stop.' This is Money raised the statistics with the Department for Transport. A DfT spokesperson said: 'Exploitation of the Blue Badge scheme is completely unacceptable – it is a vital resource helping many people travel with confidence. 'We are supporting the police to tackle this issue by working closely with local authorities and have strengthened their powers to help them tackle fraud and misuse.'
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
Warning to anyone with Blue Badge over ‘misunderstood rule' that could land you with £1,000 fine or see you lose permit
BLUE Badge holders have been issued a warning over a "misunderstood rule" that could leave drivers with a £1000 fine. The Blue Badge scheme was set up to help those with mobility issues by allowing them easier access to parking. 2 2 However, there is often confusion over when it can be used, with recent figures from the RAC revealing that theft and misuse of Blue Badges has risen by a over 1000% since 2016. Where Can Blue Badge Holders Park? It is often wrongly assumed that having a Blue Badge allows you to park anywhere. However, this is not the case. Blue Badge holders are not permitted to park anywhere where their vehicle could endanger others or obstruct access, such as near junctions, bus stops, or the entrance to hospitals. Where To Display a Blue Badge Blue Badge holders must always ensure to display their badge clearly on the dashboard, with the relevant details on show. Some people mistakenly think that its OK to borrow a Blue Badge from someone, or use it whilst the holder is not present, but this is not the case. People who use someone else's Blue Badge, when the badge holder is not in the car could be subject to a £1000 fine. Using a badge that has expired and failing to return a badge that is no longer needed can also lead to hefty fines. How To Get A Blue Badge In England, Wales and Scotland, you can apply for a Blue Badge on the website. Some people qualify for the badge automatically, whilst others are assessed on an individual basis. Local councils are in charge of assessing eligibility for badges, with applications taking up to 12 weeks. If the council decides you are not eligible for the badge, you can request them to reconsider your application. Badges in England cost £10, whilst in Scotland, they are priced at £20. Badges in Wales are free. Are you missing out on benefits? YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to Charity Turn2Us' benefits calculator works out what you could get. Entitledto's free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit. and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data. You can use Policy in Practice's calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs. Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for. Blue Badges in England and Wales typically last for three years, after which holders must reapply. However, some badges are valid until the end of certain benefits, such as Personal Independence Payments. Reminders of expiration are not sent out to badge holders, so you have to keep an eye on the date yourself, and apply for renewal 12 weeks in advance.
