Why do the disabled get free passage on the Severn Bridges?

KittyLady

I'm disabled, I have a blue badge and I do use the bridge to get over to Bristol a few times a year for hospital appointments. It's nearly £6 I believe to get over which I would struggle to pay myself.

And I don't claim benefits. My husband works hard and we scrape by without them. I could claim DLA, but honestly the claims process is so traumatic and I don't want to be dumped into another statistic, I've always been raised to only claim if it was the only way I could survive.

So for now, I'll appreciate the odd fiver saving and the odd free parking space. I pay for them too in a lot of places.

System

taffy056 wrote: »

Probably because most people who hold a blue badge suffer not only a disability but financial problems also due to the disability, the saving of £5.80 to them is probably a help in the pocket, and why not?

There are plenty of people who do not qualify for a blue badge who are in the same financial position but need to use the bridge. Unlike the BB holder they have to make a decision on what not to buy to allow them to use the bridge

taffy056

!!!!!! wrote: »

There are plenty of people who do not qualify for a blue badge who are in the same financial position but need to use the bridge. Unlike the BB holder they have to make a decision on what not to buy to allow them to use the bridge

Did I say any different then? I am offering one of many answers that are probably true in this case

wearside_2

The Humber Bridge is also free for Blue Badge Holders who receive the Higher Rate DLA for Mobility

wearside_2

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

I wish they would do this for the Dartford crossing.

Very good post there coupon mad and i agree with everything you say.

The Dartford Crossing has an exemption scheme as can be seen on their website:

http://www.dart-tag.co.uk/nossl/index.php?page=exemptscheme

Hope this helps:D

wearside_2

If you travel on the M6 on a regular basis and use the Toll Road it may be worthwhile to spend £15 to get a three year pass for free travel as is explained on their website:

An M6 Toll Mobility Exemption Pass is available to people who get the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance and are exempt from paying vehicle tax. The Mobility Exemption Pass and allows free passage for the nominated vehicle only, when the eligible person is present.
Organisations which operate a vehicle used for the carriage of disabled people and are recognised by the Secretary of State for Transport can also get a Mobility Exemption Pass.
There is an administration charge of £15 for issuing a pass, change of vehicle details and pass renewals. The pass is valid for three years.
Request an application form by email or telephone, or download one from the M6 Toll website.
Customer Services
Midland Expressway Limited

Telephone: 0870 850 6262
Email: [EMAIL="customer.services@m6toll.co.uk"]customer.services@m6toll.co.uk[/EMAIL]


In fact all concessions can be viewed on this Government Site:


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/Bluebadgescheme/DG_181209

System

taffy056 wrote: »

Did I say any different then? I am offering one of many answers that are probably true in this case

No you didn't. However all the reasons given so far for the concession (apart from the one that enshrines it in law) are just as relevant to non-badge holders and give no validation to the positive discrimination

designergraphics

!!!!!! wrote: »

There are plenty of people who do not qualify for a blue badge who are in the same financial position but need to use the bridge. Unlike the BB holder they have to make a decision on what not to buy to allow them to use the bridge

I could use your argument to say that if I caught the train to London I'd have to decide to go without a meal because I'd have to use taxis to get into town because I can't access the underground.
Disabled or able bodied, we all have to prioritize according to our needs and means.

clever_username

I think a lot of the hostility/bad feeling directed at the concept of blue badge holders not paying the Severn Bridge or other tolls just comes down to simple misguided jealousy.

In some ways I suppose it's human nature that some motorists who stop at the tolls and hand over a fiver to the person in the booth feel jealous that people entitled to the mobility allowance are able to simply flash a blue card and cross for free.

The fact that these people must have a problem with their mobility in order to qualify doesn't enter the equation for some people unfortunately.

KittyLady

clever_username wrote: »

I think a lot of the hostility/bad feeling directed at the concept of blue badge holders not paying the Severn Bridge or other tolls just comes down to simple misguided jealousy.

In some ways I suppose it's human nature that some motorists who stop at the tolls and hand over a fiver to the person in the booth feel jealous that people entitled to the mobility allowance are able to simply flash a blue card and cross for free.

The fact that these people must have a problem with their mobility in order to qualify doesn't enter the equation for some people unfortunately.

So right. And if it were possible, I'll happily trade over my blue badge and have my body and life back to anyone who wants it, I'd happily pay a few bridge fees to be me again.