Oxford County Council -blue badge problem

vigman

Although this might not seem to involve money immediately, read on!

I received a letter from Oxfordshire County Council saying I had successfully renewed my Disabled Parking Badge and that it would be with me in 15 days time. I rang today to be told I 'shouldn't have got that letter and it was still under consideration'.

I am going on holiday when the badge runs out and NEED it to go shopping etc. I would have to take taxis or pay parking charges or fines if I do not get the promised badge! I am furious about being told I had the badge in writing to be told today this was a 'mistake' I have written the following email:

"Please forward to Blue Badge Team leader:

On June 15th I received the attached letter telling me that my application for Blue Badge renewal was successful and I should receive it in the post within 15 working days.

As I am going on holiday I rang to say that I had not received the renewal badge only to be told that my application was still under consideration and I should not have received the attached letter.

Apart from being incredibly inefficient, this is very upsetting for me as I believed the Blue Badge was being issued and I need a consecutive renewal.

Apart from the fact that I need the renewal badge, I think you should honour the original letter and send out the badge as soon as possible.

Regards "

Anyone else had this experience?

TIA

Vigman

woohoo_postingid

So your main issue is that you would have to pay parking charges, not that it would be inconvenient or you would be unable to do the things you wish to do ?

vigman

woohoo_postingid wrote: »

So your main issue is that you would have to pay parking charges, not that it would be inconvenient or you would be unable to do the things you wish to do ?

Err no...my main issue is that I won't be able to go out on my own at all without the badge and for essential shopping will have to use taxis and friends.

The MSE 'money slant' was that I will also have to risk fines and/or parking charges, but without the card I am a prisoner without the help of others.

I can't see how I can get a letter saying it was granted and then find out it hadn't!

Vigman

System

Not relevant to the issue but apparently there are over 10 milliion disabled people in Britain. Thats almost 1 in 6 of the population!

I've started to think that there should be a higher number of disabled parking spaces at the supermarket!

On the OP's issue I am sure the badge will turn up at some point. Until it does then you're going to have to make do without.

The councils job is to send you the badge before your existing badge runs out. The fact you are on holiday on that date is irrelevant. You've really only got a cause for complaint if the badge doesn't arrive before that date.

System

vigman wrote: »

Err no...my main issue is that I won't be able to go out on my own at all without the badge and for essential shopping will have to use taxis and friends.

The MSE 'money slant' was that I will also have to risk fines and/or parking charges, but without the card I am a prisoner without the help of others.

I can't see how I can get a letter saying it was granted and then find out it hadn't!

Vigman

Sadly there are alot of incompetent people in work. Someone has obviously made a mistake in sending you that letter. Its a sad state of affairs but mistakes happens.

If you are so disabled that you are housebound without it, then I find it very unlikely that they will reject your application.

woohoo_postingid

As long as it's on private property eg a supermarket, you don't need a blue badge. I do agree that the incompetence is poor though. I would suggest another phone call saying that your badge has run out - ask to speak to someone senior.

System

woohoo_postingid wrote: »

As long as it's on private property eg a supermarket, you don't need a blue badge. I do agree that the incompetence is poor though. I would suggest another phone call saying that your badge has run out - ask to speak to someone senior.

Yes thats true but without a badge they tend to issue you parking fines. Of course we know they are unenforcable however it doesn't stop them being issued!

The badge hasn't actually run out yet. The concern seems to be it will run out when he's on holiday.

paddyrg

People do make mistakes, that is life, you've probably made mistakes of your own in the past. It's not their fault you're going on holiday at the time they are fulfilling their obligations.

pogofish

goater78 wrote: »

Yes thats true but without a badge they tend to issue you parking fines. Of course we know they are unenforcable however it doesn't stop them being issued!

The badge hasn't actually run out yet. The concern seems to be it will run out when he's on holiday.

No - Private companies cannot issue fines and the OP is perfectly entitled to use a disabled space under the Equality Act, badge or no badge.

System

pogofish wrote: »

No - Private companies cannot issue fines and the OP is perfectly entitled to use a disabled space under the Equality Act, badge or no badge.

Yes I believe that is what I said. Anyone can park in a disabled space at a supermarket. However that doesn't stop them issuing you a parking fine. You don't have to pay it but they still send you one.

Azari

goater78 wrote: »

Yes I believe that is what I said. Anyone can park in a disabled space at a supermarket. However that doesn't stop them issuing you a parking fine. You don't have to pay it but they still send you one.

I think the point he's making is that they are not fines because the entity issuing them is not legally allowed to 'fine' people.

It's a bit pedantic because they are not actually legally forbidden to call them fines.