Blue Badges & Parking

Brassedoff

Hi all,

Those of you who have been on here for years will know it pops up when newbies come on here bringing the subject up.

I have a quirky, if not interesting observation.

When they changed over to the new BB I had to renew mine in April. Expecting it to take the normal several weeks to be processed and sent back, I was presently surprised that it came back after only five days, quick turn-a-round you might say, county council officer had a Speedy Gonzales moment?

I have to visit (normally) four separate hospitals in three counties across the West Midlands and you used to be hard pressed to find a free disables space, now since around the end of May I have genuinely not had that problem.

Same can be said for the local city and the town I live in. Lots of disabled spaces, albeit you now have to pay to park, but that's not an issue, I prefer the doors don't get caved in than save a couple of quid parking.

Then when we came to change the car, the motability rep said it was the quietist time he had ever known.

So I am winding up to my question, do you think with all the rules changes the BB's and Motability cars have really dropped down?

roddydogs

Dont see how its made any difference, anyone who had the old type just gets the new type.
Still open to massive abuse, just like the old one, still no photo on the front so you still cant check if its being used by relative/friends.

oldhand

roddydogs wrote: »

Dont see how its made any difference, anyone who had the old type just gets the new type.
Still open to massive abuse, just like the old one, still no photo on the front so you still cant check if its being used by relative/friends.

Here in n.ireland the new bb has a photo of the holder on the back and a small hologram on it also.

Errata

roddydogs wrote: »

Dont see how its made any difference, anyone who had the old type just gets the new type.
Still open to massive abuse, just like the old one, still no photo on the front so you still cant check if its being used by relative/friends.

Anyone in an official capacity who needs to see the photo can ask to see it. All others - keep your nosey noses to yourselves and find a hobby.

[Deleted User]

I have just recently had to fill in a new form for the renewal.Its 27pages long and my new one will cost me £10.00 I sent the forms in on 2 August and have been told it will take 8 weeks to process.I have had a blue badge for 9 years and I'm not fussed about having now to pay the ten pounds as I think its reasonable its just the amount of paper work now involved seems a bit excessive.Still I suppose it give someone at the council something to do reading through all the wodge.last time I renewed it I took it to the offices with my relevant documents and it was done immediatly.My existing one expires on 12 September hopefully my new one maybe back in time if not then I will just have to wait for it.

mazza111

Was £20 when we renewed my mum's a few months back. Got it back within about a week. Each council is different though. In mum's council it's still the social work dept who have the forms for it. In our council you have to go to the first stop shop, which is a pain because you can never get parked near it because of road works. 18 months of road works here in the town centre, it's no wonder we have shops closing all over the place.

ariba10

No charge for renewal where we live.

But they have tightened up on qualification requirements.

AllegraSwed

So where it could be hired for best requirement and all?

mazza111

They tightened requirement here too. There's no auto renewal now for people who are disabled who don't get HRM part of DLA, they have to go through hoops again to get it

stefos

AllegraSwed wrote: »

So where it could be hired for best requirement and all?

I'd better get the next round in Allegra ...

mazza111

I got quite a shock today actually. Went to apply for my daughter's first blue badge, cost 0. We live in the north of the county, but my mother's renewal was £20 a few weeks ago, she's in the south of the county