Most people don't abuse the blue badge scheme
Most people don't abuse the blue badge scheme
A further dimension to the ‘Most People’ campaign has been in relation to the abuse of blue badges. Over the year the council have held a series of action days aimed at people who wrongly use blue badges to claim free parking.
Teams have been out and about across the borough in a joint operation involving the police and officers from the authority’s patroller, environmental and parking services. Mobile phones and radios have enabled officers to check the authenticity of badges and the operation has been backed up by CCTV.
- The badge-holder must always be present when the badge is used, as detailed in the booklet outlining rights and responsibilities when a badge is issued. It is also the badge-holders responsibility to make sure their badge is renewed when necessary.
- The disabled parking scheme was introduced in 1971. It provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for severely disabled people who are unable, or find it difficult, to use public transport.
- There are 10,000 blue badge holders in Tameside.
- People automatically entitled to a badge must be receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, be registered blind or receiving war pensioners’ mobility supplement.
- Other people may qualify if they have been assessed by a medical professional and meet certain criteria such as having difficulty in walking or operating a parking meter. Children may need to have bulky medical equipment with them at all times or the use of a vehicle so they can get swift access to treatment.
For more information on the Blue Badge Scheme in Tameside, and the action days see the links below:
Page last updated: 12 August 2009