A question for blue badge holders

nannytone_2

and that is what DLA mobility is for!

i have no physical problems, but am blind.
i have 2 choices. u either use someone elses car and pay for their fuel/parking or i pay someones fare to accompany me on public transport .... this is how DLA is meant to be spent

marleyboy

artichi wrote: »

Blue badges aren't always awarded because of mobility issues, it can be because of issues using a ticket machine.

Dyslexia or an inability to read\use a ticket machine, will not entitle you to a BB.

abudabi

I think bb holders with means tested benefits should be entitled to free parking and maybe concessionary parking for all physically challenged bb holders due to the extra time needed for parking

dori2o

nannytone wrote: »

and that is what DLA mobility is for!

i have no physical problems, but am blind.
i have 2 choices. u either use someone elses car and pay for their fuel/parking or i pay someones fare to accompany me on public transport .... this is how DLA is meant to be spent

When were rules introduced on how and when the money should be spent.

It's the same argument I have with people when theme parks, or cimemas allow the disabled, or their carer, or even both into attractions for free/discounted admission. It makes no difference to anyone else at all.

It is the companies/local authorities discretion if they wish to provide discounted/free admission/parking etc etc.

It's hard enough already with the additional costs, so personally I'm not going to turn down the opportunity to reduce some of these costs even further.

The other thing you have not considered is the fact that not every Blue Badge holder is in receipt of DLA.

Richie-from-the-Boro

artichi wrote: »

Blue badges aren't always awarded because of mobility issues, it can be because of issues using a ticket machine.

This is true - though the applicant would be one of very very few likely to qualify under this criterion and would have to meet all of the following:

- regularly drives an adapted or non-adapted vehicle, and ;
- and has a severe disability in both arms, and ;
- is unable to operate, or has considerable difficulty operating, all or some types of parking meter

The DfT's own suggested severity 'criteria' for this little problem would have to be something small and insignificant like :

- a limb reduction deficiency of both arms
- bilateral upper limb amputation
- muscular dystrophy
- spinal cord injury
- motor neurone disease
- or a condition of comparable severity

The DfT's also say under no circumstances should anyone who does not satisfy all three of the conditions set out above receive a badge. In particular, a badge should not be issued to a person who travels solely as a passenger or a person who has difficulty carrying parcels, shopping or other heavy objects such as luggage.

- most drivers with disabilities in both arms drive an adapted vehicle and should have insurance documents for proof
- DVLA registered applicants will have a driving licence with codes of 40 or 79 on their counterpart licence as evidence
- 40 - adapted steering / 79 - restricted to vehicles in conformity with the specifications stated in brackets
- the Physio or O/T doing the Blue Badge IMA will know this

Parva

!!!!!! wrote: »

That is a clear case of being unable to follow and understand a thread.

The question in this case was why BB holders get to park free not why he is disabled. DOH!

Doh sorry, my fault for skim-reading.

tokenfield

jblack wrote: »

Hello All

Firstly I'd like to make it clear I am not trying to annoy or upset anyone with this question.

Can anyone tell me why blue badge holders do not have to pay to park in car parks? I completely agree and understand the need to park close to entrances and the need for wider spaces etc but not why the parking fee is exempt.

I also understand the London congestion charge is not payable by BB holders. Again I can't see why.

I appreciate some BB holders have limited income but then so do others.

I don't actually know why it is like that. Obviously there are those that have to use their cars and cannot use any other form of transport - taxi, bus, train.

But having a BB shouldn't really make parking FOC.

I'm not entirely living in poverty, yet I receive a means tested benefit. So paying or not doesn't really affect me as it doesn't for those that don't have a BB.

I could and do use taxis when it is more convenient (when it is busy in town and I don't want to drive then). I also use my bus pass if I am not in a hurry, and the train as it is much less hassle being in a 1st class carriage going 300 miles+ that it is driving.

What I found a godsend is being able to park on double yellows for up to 3 hours at no cost and much nearer to the shops.

Brassedoff

The_mangler wrote: »

Thankfully here in Wales hospital parking is free for everyone and my local council also provides free parking. However I was absolutely amazed how much it cost for everyone to park when we visited Dorset recently.

That's because the English subsidise the other two countries and your Principality:D

only_mee

Our local council.....you can buy a yearly ticket for £20 and that is shown alongside the blue badge when in council run car parks.
Hospitals are free when showing the badge.

and with these prices...it soon pays for itself

Time Period Beach Town Centre Leisure
Up to 30 minutes
N/A
£0.70*
N/A
Up to 1 hour
£1.50
£1.30
£1.30
Up to 1.5 hours
£2.00
£1.80
£1.80
Up to 2 hours
£2.50
£2.20
£2.20
Up to 3 hours
£3.50
£3.00
£3.00
Up to 4 hours
£4.50
£4.00
£4.00
Up to 5 hours
£5.50
£5.00
£5.00
Up to 24 hours
£9.00
£8.00
£8.00
Nightime charge (available 6pm until 10am)
£2.20
£2.00
£2.00

doinkthemonkee

jblack wrote: »

Hello All


Can anyone tell me why blue badge holders do not have to pay to park in car parks? I completely agree and understand the need to park close to entrances and the need for wider spaces etc but not why the parking fee is exempt.
.

BB holders do have to pay for parking in king's lynn & several other places in the country. It is up to the local council I guess.