Minister overhauls disabled parking blue badge scheme

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The scheme will now allow for children under three to have blue badges

Plans to improve the blue badge scheme for disabled parking in Wales have been announced by the assembly government.

It includes extending eligibility to children aged under three, people with temporary conditions and to new groups of disabled people.

The overhaul will streamline the badge application process and improve systems to tackle abuse of the scheme.

Transport minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said it was time to "completely relook" at the badge, first introduced in 1971.

BLUE BADGE SCHEME CHANGES Extend eligibility to the under-threes with specific medical conditions and other new groups Provide a temporary blue badge for people who experience major traumas, strokes or require joint replacements Improve the application process and work to streamline administration Reduce abuse with data sharing system Improve security features and look at civil enforcement officers being able to seize badges used unlawfully Work with partners to tackle parking abuse in private car parks

He said it would take up to five years to deliver the the whole programme for the around 230,000 badge holders in Wales.

But the minister said the assembly government would be able to prioritise some areas of improvement for the scheme.

Those would include extending the scheme to children under three with specific medical conditions, as well as to people with severe congenital disabilities in both arms.

In November, toddler Elis Williams's family from the Vale of Glamorgan had to fight for the right to have a disabled parking badge after being told she was ineligible because she was under the age of three.

Elis needs specialist equipment wherever she goes but was not entitled to a disabled parking permit because of the limitations to the scheme.

The scheme was first introduced to provide parking concessions for registered blind or severely disabled people nearly 40 years ago.

Reduce the abuse

Mr Jones said: "The blue badge scheme has been going for nearly 40 years and has helped registered blind or severely disabled people to park close to the facilities and services they need.

"But we now feel it is time to completely re-look at the scheme to ensure it is fit for purpose, which is why we commissioned the wide-ranging consultation on which this action plan is based.

"We have listened to what the people have said they need and taken on board the problems with the present scheme.

Mr Jones added: "We need to ensure that the people who are most in need of a blue badge are able to access the service quickly and efficiently, and we make best use of modern technology to reduce the abuse of the blue badge scheme."

He said the assembly government was liaising with the UK government and other devolved administrations to ensure that a "cohesive scheme is developed across the UK".