Dukes Ward Conservative Cllr Sir Ron Whatson raised a question at Thurday's (November 16th) Sefton Council meeting about delays in the issue of Disabled Blue badges.

I have been advised by a constituent over a situation which seems to have developed when a Blue Badge Parking Pass is lost. My constituent unfortunately did lose his pass - something which could happen to anybody - and filled in the appropriate documentation and sent the required £10 fee for a new pass to be issued. He was advised by the Department that there was a significant delay and that no post from the 15th September 2023 had as yet been opened and this would include his individual situation.
Would the Cabinet Member please advise the Council of the current situation with an
explanation as to how this situation has developed and confirm what arrangements have been made to issue a temporary document which could replace the Blue Badge Pass and would be accepted by those checking that cars are parked appropriately in the designated areas.”

Response:

There has been a significant increase in the volume of Blue Badge applications in recent months and they are currently running at 624 per month - a 39% increase on 2019 and 22% increase in the last year alone. In order to meet this demand staffing levels have recently been increased, but inevitably this has caused a delay in dealing with applications and contacts.

There is a delay in opening post but it does not go back to the 15th September.

The Council is not allowed to issue temporary Blue Badges and will not issue temporary “permits” to Blue Badge holders as it feels such permits would be
confusing to motorists, as they would only be recognised in Sefton Council owned
parking areas and would not allow motorists to park in private car parks, hospitals,
supermarkets and other Local Authority areas.

624 extra blue Badges per month - wow!

Sign of the times I suppose, what with the modern sedentary way of life and all.
I wonder what percentage of residents are now classed disabled and hold a Badge?

Oh absolutely bloody spiffing!

We can now look forward to an epidemic of stupid and obstructive parking by those too disabled to walk from an ordinary parking space yet - able bodied enough to wander around shops for a couple of hours.

Originally Posted by gazaprop

Oh absolutely bloody spiffing!

We can now look forward to an epidemic of stupid and obstructive parking by those to disabled to walk from an ordinary parking space yet - able bodied enough to wander around shops for a couple of hours.

Like the thirty-something woman who parked with a Blue Badge behind Sainsbury's. Got out, looked up and down street to check she'd not been seen exiting car - then walked smartly off apparently in perfect health.

Yes, I know not all disabilities are visible, but do me a favour. Pound to a penny she had 'borrowed' that Badge and if by chance challenged, would claim to be on an errand for her disabled Mum/Dad, etc. Though 'errands' by a fit relative/friend are not allowed, it's a simple enough matter to claim ignorance of the rules. (rollseyes)

Originally Posted by The PNP

624 extra blue Badges per month - wow!

Originally Posted by editor

Response: "There has been a significant increase in the volume of Blue Badge applications in recent months and they are currently running at 624 per month

The 624 is the total monthly applications and not the extra. i.e. Just over 30 per working day.

Originally Posted by The PNP

I wonder what percentage of residents are now classed disabled and hold a Badge?

About 5% of the population hold a blue badge.

Under half of the people entitled to hold a badge without further assessment have a badge.

Source https://assets.publishing.service.go...stics-2020.pdf

Originally Posted by The PNP

Like the thirty-something woman who parked with a Blue Badge behind Sainsbury's. Got out, looked up and down street to check she'd not been seen exiting car - then walked smartly off apparently in perfect health.

Yes, I know not all disabilities are visible, but do me a favour. Pound to a penny she had 'borrowed' that Badge and if by chance challenged, would claim to be on an errand for her disabled Mum/Dad, etc. Though 'errands' by a fit relative/friend are not allowed, it's a simple enough matter to claim ignorance of the rules. (rollseyes)

The simple fact that she’s a motorist means that she’s guilty in your eyes.

Originally Posted by r4dent

About 5% of the population hold a blue badge.

Under half of the people entitled to hold a badge without further assessment have a badge.

Anecdotal evidence seems to contradict that figure, at least in our area.....Glance at the dashboards of cars parked in town as you walk about and you'll find the figure locally is somewhat greater.

Originally Posted by justbecause

The simple fact that she’s a motorist means that she’s guilty in your eyes.

Well, a Blue Badge isn't much use on a bike, now is it?

Originally Posted by The PNP

Like the thirty-something woman who parked with a Blue Badge behind Sainsbury's. Got out, looked up and down street to check she'd not been seen exiting car - then walked smartly off apparently in perfect health.

Yes, I know not all disabilities are visible, but do me a favour. Pound to a penny she had 'borrowed' that Badge and if by chance challenged, would claim to be on an errand for her disabled Mum/Dad, etc. Though 'errands' by a fit relative/friend are not allowed, it's a simple enough matter to claim ignorance of the rules. (rollseyes)

My mate had injured his foot at work and really did have difficulty in walking a few steps even. He had to call into Asda opticians, so I took him down in my car dropping him as near as I could to the entrance - then parked where I could watch the door for him coming out(Yes, I got my ticket) While waiting for him to come out I saw several blue badge car drivers park up and walk easily into the store then return to load their cars up seemingly without much effort.

Once when at the car park at Birkdale Golf, there were several blue badge holder cars but only a couple had wheelchairs. This meant that a fair number were able to walk around he golf course unaided.

Blue badges are okay if practiced and checked by traffic wardens .
Still people lending out to family members to take kids shopping on a Saturday
Really if you have a blue badge there should be an annual charge o
around probably £150 . Some say £250 but that seems a little steep.

Originally Posted by ausard2

Blue badges are okay if practiced and checked by traffic wardens .
Still people lending out to family members to take kids shopping on a Saturday
Really if you have a blue badge there should be an annual charge of
around probably £150 . Some say £250 but that seems a little steep.

Checked? That's a laugh!

I can honestly say, that I have never seen a Traffic Warden stop to check a Blue Badge, they just walk straight past cars displaying Blue Badges without a second glance. I reckon any blue card of the same size laminated in polythene, would fool them - even if it stated on the front that it was issued by Mickey Mouse!

Don't mention bays for mothers and bratts.
Plus blue badge holders seem to have class 1 lorry cabs,you ne6
climb a ladder to get into. ( friends describe them as totally professional
scroungers

Originally Posted by The PNP

Checked? That's a laugh!

I can honestly say, that I have never seen a Traffic Warden stop to check a Blue Badge, they just walk straight past cars displaying Blue Badges without a second glance. I reckon any blue card of the same size laminated in polythene, would fool them - even if it stated on the front that it was issued by Mickey Mouse!

I've never seen a cyclist obey all the rules of the road but according to you they all do.

Some people do abuse the blue badge but don't tar everyone with the same brush. Sadly I do need one but will only use it when I have too as I'm aware there's people worse off than me and yes I've mine has been checked on a number of occasions if a traffic warden has been there.

Originally Posted by ausard2

Don't mention bays for mothers and bratts.
Plus blue badge holders seem to have class 1 lorry cabs,you ne6
climb a ladder to get into. ( friends describe them as totally professional
scroungers

Have you ever seen a disabled person alone with a wheelchair and the equipment needed to get into and out of a car ? They don't fit into a Mini.