Review of the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme
(The Blue Badge Scheme)
Recommendations for change
6. Additional Issues
6.1 Introduction
6.1.1 The Scheme is essentially a national arrangement of on-street parking concessions for eligible disabled people. However, possession and display of the Badge is often used by local authorities and others to guide and inform other policies and provisions. Examples are the commonplace designation of spaces in off-street car parks by supermarket operators and other retailers. While this concern for the mobility of disabled people is to be encouraged, it does cause confusion regarding the scope of the Scheme.
6.1.2 In addition to the issues in the DTLR discussion paper, DPTAC has therefore considered other relevant matters and particularly the need to make positive provision for Badge holders to park in areas that are safe and do not disrupt traffic flow.
6.1.3 DPTAC have also considered powers in the Transport Act 2001 and the Transport Act (Scotland) 2001 to introduce congestion charging Schemes.
6.2 Positive provision of parking
DPTAC recommend that:
[44] Local authorities must be required to include policies on designated parking provision for Badge holders in their local transport planning process (Local transport plans, strategies and implementation plans).
[45] The provision of parking for Badge holders should be enhanced by:
a) requiring Local Authorities through their planning policies and procedures to include parking strategies in all developments to determine the percentage and/or minimum numbers of designated parking spaces available for Blue Badge holders.
b) requiring service to provide and manage off-street car parking to maintain accessible parking for Badge holders to the agreed standards contained within current National Planning Policy Guidance notes PPG13 and DTLR Traffic Advisory Leaflet 5/95 and the equivalent guidance in other parts of the UK.
[46] Employers should be required to make parking places available to disabled employees and visitors with Badges to reduce pressure on public parking provision and to ensure that their parking provision is respected.
6.2.1 Local authorities have responsibility for parking provision and should through their Local transport plans; strategies and implementation plans make adequate positive provision for the parking needs of Badge holders on and off street. This is essential to reduce reliance of Badge holders on parking on yellow lines in order to park close to the chosen destination.
6.2.2 Local transport authorities in developing traffic management strategies such as controlled parking Schemes (including residents' parking Schemes) and pedestrianisation of town centres must have regard to the impact these will have on the ability of Badge holders to park near the chosen destination.
6.2.3 Making positive provision for accessible parking for Badge holders through the local transport planning process to reflect local need will ensure issues of congestion and traffic flow are minimised. Local highway and planning authorities should be requiring through their development control functions sufficient designated parking spaces for Badge holders in line with previous guidance.
6.2.4 DPTAC would expect employers who provide workplace parking or service providers who provide parking for clients and customers to ensure a proportion is designed and managed to be accessible for Badge holders. However, to assist with the credibility of the Scheme, attention also has to be paid by the service provider to enforcement of the provision.
6.3 Congestion Charging
DPTAC recommend that:
[47] Badge holders should be exempt from congestion charging.
6.3.1 The Government has previously made a commitment that some disabled people will be exempt from congestion charging schemes if introduced. DPTAC believes that the Blue Badge Scheme is a suitable mechanism for considering exemptions as it applies to people who require use of a car (and not necessarily ownership) for independent mobility. DPTAC is aware of the enforcement issues which are likely to be involved but believes that these can be adequately addressed through the enhancements to the Scheme which have been outlined above.
Published: 18 December 2002
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