350 fines for misuse of disabled scheme

Since launching a crackdown campaign last May, the city council’s Community Protection Blue Badge team has tackled a range of abuse of the scheme, including: 23 amended badges, 172 expired, 79 misused by a third party, 11 used where the owner is deceased.

The top five makes of vehicle recorded for misusing disabled parking schemes in Nottingham are Vauxhall, Ford, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes, with black being the most reported colour.

A spokesman said: “The Blue Badge scheme is a life-line to those who need it and need to gain access to facilities. The campaign has sought to educate the public, not just about use of the parking spaces, but how to make proper use of a genuine Blue Badge. Many outlets have received information about Blue Badges including NHS sites, supermarkets and city council sites.”

Nottingham’s Blue Badge scheme has been developed by enforcement officer Marcus Hall, who has been asked to visit other authorities to show them how the model works.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Do people show enough respect for facilities reserved for disabled people - like disabled parking spaces and disabled toilets - or do you think they’re ‘fair game’ if not being used?

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