Local authorities have the power to create designated parking bays for pensioners without a Blue Badge, the UK Government has recently clarified. Councils can use their existing powers under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 to mark out bays for specific purposes, including for older people who are not in receipt of the mobility component of qualifying benefits for the Motability or Blue Badge schemes.
Government Clarifies Council Powers
Labour MP Sojan Joseph asked the UK Government whether it had assessed the potential merits of extending eligibility for disabled parking bays to people of State Pension age with mobility issues who are not receiving the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
In a written response, Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood said: “Part IV of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 provides local authorities with powers to mark out bays for specific purposes, issue local parking permits, and use Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) to reserve spaces for specific purposes.”
The Minister added: “This can be a voluntary local scheme, and the cost and nature of the concession would be for the local authority to decide.”
Devolved Matters and Blue Badge Eligibility
These matters are devolved to the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland, but there have been several calls in recent months for a mobility element to be added to pension age disability benefits to enable older people to access the Blue Badge and Motability Schemes.
People with a physical disability or health condition that affects their ability to walk safely, or have a hidden condition such as dementia or Parkinson's, may be able to get a Blue Badge to help them park closer to the places they want to go.
A Blue Badge holder travelling either as a driver or a passenger can park for free in disabled parking bays and may also be exempt from other parking restrictions. There are currently more than 235,700 Blue Badge holders living in Scotland, and an estimated three million people benefit from the scheme across England and Wales.
Automatic qualification includes those on the higher level of the mobility rate for PIP, Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Child Disability Payment (CDP) and DLA. However, the Scottish Government has published a comprehensive list of circumstances which could see people with walking issues or parents caring for a disabled child qualify for a Blue Badge.
Application Process and Guidance
Applications for a Blue Badge can be made online, but the guidance advises that people with a mental condition need to contact their local council directly. It states: “If you have a mental condition that means you lack awareness about the danger of traffic, you cannot apply online. You should phone your local council's Blue Badge team for a paper application form.”
The guidance also advises that those who do not automatically qualify for the Blue Badge scheme may need to have a mobility assessment and a meeting with a healthcare professional. There is no set processing time for new applications or Blue Badge renewals, but it can take around 12 weeks, though it usually takes around 10 working days. Local councils process applications and set the price.
Automatic qualification in Scotland includes those under 16 with a letter from their visual impairment care team, those aged 16 or over registered as severely sight impaired, those receiving the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA, and those scoring 8 points or more in the 'moving around' area of their PIP assessment, among other criteria.
People who are not automatically eligible may still qualify if they have a substantial disability lasting at least 12 months that means they cannot walk at all or are virtually unable to walk, regularly drive and cannot use parking meters because of a severe disability in both arms, or are responsible for a child under three who needs to be kept close to a vehicle for medical treatment or uses bulky medical equipment.
Blue Badge holders can park for free at on-street parking meters, in pay and display bays, in disabled parking spaces, and on single and double yellow lines if there are no loading restrictions. The badge can also be used in most other countries, though a parking clock is required when using it in England or Wales.
