Council cracks down on disabled parking permit misuse during Blue Badge Awareness Week
Buckinghamshire Council has taken robust action against motorists misusing disabled parking permits as part of Blue Badge Awareness Week, with targeted enforcement activity carried out across the county.
Enforcement officers carried out checks in Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Amersham throughout the week, focusing on ensuring Blue Badge spaces were being used correctly by residents who genuinely need them.
During the week, officers:
- Checked 301 vehicles/Blue Badges
- Issued 35 penalty charge notices
- Seized 11 Blue Badges that were being misused or used fraudulently
Common types of misuse identified included Blue Badges being used by someone other than the badge holder, altered or counterfeit badges, and the use of a badge belonging to someone who was recently deceased.
Blue Badge spaces are a vital lifeline for many residents with disabilities, enabling them to access shops, services and public facilities as independently as possible. When these spaces are misused, it can prevent people with legitimate needs from parking safely and close to their destination.
Steve Bowles, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“Blue Badge misuse is not a victimless crime. Every space taken illegally makes everyday tasks harder for residents who rely on these concessions to live independently.
“Our enforcement teams work hard throughout the year to protect the integrity of the Blue Badge scheme, and awareness weeks like this are an important opportunity to highlight why it must be used correctly and fairly.”
Buckinghamshire Council carries out regular Blue Badge enforcement as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting residents with disabilities and keeping parking fair for everyone. Anyone who suspects a Blue Badge is being misused can report it online via the council's website.