A new scheme has started today in Salford to make it easier for people with a blue badge to park.
Salford City Council has announced it is now set to check that Blue Badges on show in vehicles are correctly registered.
The Blue Badge scheme is vital for many people, providing them with access to special bays that mean they can live independent lives.
But the fraudulent misuse of badges means that sometimes disabled bays are not available and those who are in genuine need of parking closer to facilities or wider spaces to get in out of wheelchairs are not able to do so.
Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety at Salford City Council, said: “It is important that people who have legitimate Blue Badges are able to use them. Many people who use the badges have hidden disabilities and the specialist team checking the badges are correct are fully trained and sensitive in these situations. This is a national issue and those who have nothing to hide do not need to worry at all as we are here to target them.
“We will use a mixture of high-visibility patrols and also plain clothed officers for this, along with information from the public and other enforcement agencies.
“Those who misuse blue badges should be worried – we are coming for you. We will also publicise the details of those who are convicted.”
The Salford Disability Forum said: “We’re really pleased to hear this campaign has started in Salford to help people with legitimate blue badges park. It will make a huge difference to the people who really need the scheme as it is an absolute lifeline. If those spaces are being taken by people who should not be there is affects us all.”
Blue Badges can be misused by a third party who use someone else’s badge without the badge holder being present. Fake or cloned badges can also trade on the black market for up to £1,000.
There is also an issue where blue badges holders use a badge that is no longer valid, been reported as lost or stolen or a fraudulent application being submitted for one.
People can report Blue Badge misuse at: https://www.salford.gov.uk/report-it/
