Oxford County Council -blue badge problem

woohoo_postingid

I believe these private firms can invoice you (not fine you) but, of course, you don't have to pay

pogofish

woohoo_postingid wrote: »

I believe these private firms can invoice you (not fine you) but, of course, you don't have to pay

No they can't - VCS vs HMRC confirmed that amply just the other week.

System

Christ this site gets more pedantic every day! Still I suppose thats the internet for you

pogofish

goater78 wrote: »

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

Why? The Blue Badge scheme does not apply on private land.

Any suitable space/s would be usable by a disabled person depending on their situation.

pogofish

goater78 wrote: »

Christ this site gets more pedantic every day! Still I suppose thats the internet for you

There is a rather large gulf between a fine and a speculative invoice!

Not pedantry, simply the facts - Ignorance of which is something the PPCs rely on when scamming/threatening people.

System

pogofish wrote: »

Why? The Blue Badge scheme does not apply on private land.

Any suitable space/s would be usable by a disabled person depending on their situation.

I didn't mention the blue badge scheme?

Disabled spaces are reserved spaces at supermarkets near the door. The majority of able body people don't park in a disabled space. Unless of course you are a bad seed.

At the moment only a small number of disabled spaces are reserved in a supermarkets car park.

If 1 in 6 of people are disabled then I would suggest there are not enough spaces.

The blue badge scheme is irelevant

System

pogofish wrote: »

There is a rather large gulf between a fine and a speculative invoice!

Not pedantry, simply the facts - Ignorance of which is something the PPCs rely on when scamming/threatening people.

As long as you know you don't have to pay it, then it doesn't matter what you call it.

Searcher

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

Ok, I'm not saying I don't sympathise with your situation and either I'm being very dim, very naive or missing something blindingly obvious..
but how does not having the blue badge make you a prisoner that you have to rely on taxis or other people?

vigman

Searcher wrote: »

Ok, I'm not saying I don't sympathise with your situation and either I'm being very dim, very naive or missing something blindingly obvious..
but how does not having the blue badge make you a prisoner that you have to rely on taxis or other people?

Because although I am disabled I am independent.

With the blue badge I can park my own car very near a shop either on double yellow lines or with a disabled bay whenever I want.

Without a badge I will have to wait for a lift/taxi, get picked up and dropped at the shop(s) I need. Without it I can't simply park in a general park away from the shop(s) I need.

Your response is very insightful and I might have reacted the same myself until I lost my mobility a few years ago.

The blue badge lets me get out and about in my own car, when and where I want, very near to the place I have to park, so without it I am reliant on others to take me, drop me off and collect me.

Regards

Vigman

BobQ

vigman wrote: »

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'.
Anyone else had this experience?

Vigman

Replies to date seem unhelpful at times.

Councils are under a lot of pressure to process applications and because many of the applicants need to have assessments to identify those who do not qualify everyone can find their applications are delayed. Also Council cutbacks are slowing down the prosess.

I do not think you can complain about the mistake they made. Strictly there is no right to continuity of badge cover but my auntie had a similar problem. She had to kick up a fuss about it but when pressed they issued a temporary extension to the existing badge (basically a card saying this to be displayed next to the expired badge). Even if offered this may not help because it only makes the badge valid in the Council area concerned so might not be useful for your holiday.

You could also try to write to your councillor or MP about the matter. They get lots of these types of letters and it sometimes hurries things along.

I agree that its frustrating when Council's do not sent renewals out in time to achieve continuity but the current delays are a consequence of tightening up on the 1 in 6 who are allegedly disabled. Its the price genuine applicants must pay for stopping abuse.