Review of the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme
(The Blue Badge Scheme)
Recommendations for change

1. Introduction

Background

1.1 Since its introduction in 1971, the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme commonly known as the Blue Badge Scheme and hereinafter referred to as the Scheme, has made a valuable contribution to the mobility of many disabled people. However, there is also much misunderstanding of the purpose of the Scheme and the nature of the concessions that attach to it. This confusion applies not only to Badge Holders, their family members and the public, but also to those providing the Scheme administration and enforcement. The two key factors to be borne in mind are firstly, that the Scheme is intended to assist Badge holders to achieve independent mobility by allowing them to park closer to their destination and secondly, that the built-in concessions relate only to on street parking and waiting. It is also worth noting that possession of the Blue Badge is used by various parties as the basis of further concessions.

The Review Process

1.2 The following recommendations on the review of the Scheme have been prepared by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) at the invitation of the Secretary of State (annex 1) on behalf of the UK Government, the Scottish Executive, the National Assembly for Wales and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

1.3 The invitation was to make firm recommendations on the changes that should be made in order to support the development of an updated Scheme which:

• Continues to meet the needs of those who need the concessions for independent mobility;
• Minimises the potential for abuse;
• Is fair, robust and justifiable; and
• Links with related integrated transport policy implementation.

1.4 The review of the Scheme was announced in November 1999 following consideration of the DPTAC report calling for a review of the Scheme.

1.5 During 2000/01 the MVA consultancy working on behalf of the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR), arranged a number of focus groups, at both local and national level, to discuss the broad shape for the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme. The groups brought together key stakeholders, including individual users of the Scheme, but there was no consensus on what changes needed to be made. However, the findings were used to inform the discussion paper issued by DTLR.

1.6 In general, respondents to the discussion paper have supported DPTAC's original recommendation in 1999 that the Scheme needs to be reviewed to remain effective in meeting the objectives set out above. Our recommendations also take into consideration previous advice contained in the report, 'Review of the Orange Badge Scheme' (annex 2) and a meeting with key stakeholders held on 4 March 2002.

1.7 The DPTAC recommendations are based on responses to the consultation carried out between December 2001 and April 2002 on the DTLR discussion paper 'Review of the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme discussion paper' (annex 3), consultation carried out between December 2001 and April 2002.

1.8 DPTAC commissioned the MVA consultancy to provide an analysis of the responses to the discussion paper. Their analysis is contained in Annex 4 and should be read in conjunction with these recommendations.

1.9 Following consideration of DPTAC's responses in this report, it is anticipated that the Government will be coming forward with its proposals for an updated Scheme.

Structure of the report

1.10 This report contains recommendations based on areas of consensus to have emerged from the discussion paper and considered advice from DPTAC. However, a consensus should not be taken to imply unanimity since in virtually every case there is at least one dissenting view. In these situations, DPTAC has taken a view on what needs to change to make the Scheme effective.

1.11 The report follows the structure of the discussion paper, and the analysis by MVA, with recommendations (in square brackets) under each section heading. Following each recommendation DPTAC has sought to identify the key results emerging from responses to the consultation and to demonstrate the justification for its recommendations.

1.12 The following four sections cover the principal areas of the review - eligibility, administration, concessions and enforcement. DPTAC has also made recommendations on related issues not covered in the discussion paper including off street parking.

Published: 18 December 2002

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