News Release (18 December 2002):
Government response to review of the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme
The Department for Transport today announced its response to Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC)'s recommendations for amending the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme.
In welcoming the Government's response, Jane Wilmot OBE, DPTAC Chair said:
"We are delighted the Government accepted the majority of our recommendations and that it will revise the Scheme to ensure consistency across the UK. It is essential that those disabled people who depend on the private motor car for their independent mobility are able to park close to their destination.
Our recommendations which are published today, addressed a broad range of issues including eligibility, administration, enforcement and concessions.
We also welcome the Government's support for Baywatch which encourages operators of off-street car parks, which are outside the remit of the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme, to manage spaces provided for disabled people."
Further work is needed to ensure the recommendations are implemented. DPTAC will continue to consider the effectiveness of the Scheme in meeting the needs of those disabled people who depend on the private car for their independent mobility.
Notes to editors:
1. The Blue Badge Review: The Government's response to the DPTAC recommendations is available from the Department for Transport web site at http://www.dft.gov.uk.
2. The Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) was set up under the Transport Act of 1985 to advise Government on the transport needs of all disabled people. It has a maximum of 20 members (of whom at least half must be disabled people), representing a wide range of transport interests. Members are appointed by Ministers and are unpaid, apart from the reimbursement of expenses.
3. DPTAC was invited to consider responses and make recommendations to improve the existing Scheme. It considered over 300 responses to the Government's consultation earlier this year and made 47 recommendations for changes to the Scheme at the end of April. DPTAC's report is now available at http://www.dptac.gov.uk/pubs/bluebadgereview/index.htm.
4. For further information on DPTAC, contact the Secretary, Tim Pope on 020 7944 8012, (textphone 020 7944 3277), fax 020 7944 6998 or email dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk.
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