The government is spending £55m over three years in overhauling
the
Blue
Badge parking scheme, including £10m on a
data sharing database for local authorities to enable them to
tackle rogue badge users.
For the first time, the government is planning to give local
authorities the power to seize stolen or forged Blue Badges. Local
authorities currently issue the badges to those with
disabilities.
Transport minister Paul Clark said, "Two thirds of councils tell
us abuse of the scheme is a major issue, and that around one in
every 200 badges in circulation are reported as stolen each year.
With forged or stolen badges reportedly being sold on the black
market for up to £1,500 a time, it is time to get tough and stop
Blue Badge abuse and vehicle crime."
To support immediate confiscation of misused badges, a £10m
national data sharing system will be established by councils, to
ensure stolen or forged badges from outside their local area can be
easily identified for the first time.
The Department for Transport
is also looking at new technologies to make the badges harder to
forge, including barcodes that can be read through car
windscreens.
A new system of assessing eligibility for the Blue Badge is also
being developed. This will include dedicated independent medical
assessors, who will ensure that only those who really need a badge
receive one. This will standardise assessments throughout the
country and lighten the workload of GPs, who currently carry out
individual assessments in many areas.
In addition, nine councils have been awarded the status 'Centre
of Excellence'. This is in recognition of their innovative work in
administering and enforcing the Blue Badge scheme. They will share
good practice and help to drive up improvements in management of
the scheme at other local authorities.