The Blue badge Scheme.
The Blue Badge Scheme provides a national arrangement of parking concessions for people with severe walking difficulties who travel either as drivers or passengers. The scheme also applies to registered blind people, and people who have very severe upper limb disabilities who regularly drive a vehicle but cannot turn a steering wheel by hand. It allows badge holders to park close to their destination, but the national concessions apply only to on-street parking. In addition other concessions may be available to badge holders. e.g. Ferry fares may be discounted, tunnel fees may be reduced or given freely.
Practical information and points for consideration.
The correct side to display is the side that does not show your photograph.
The concessions given to Blue Badge are for the holder of the badge, not for the vehicle. So a relative or friend may agree to drive you to town, or elsewhere for the afternoon and you can then display your badge in that car, when parked, and correctly make use of the parking concessions that holders of the badge are entitled to.
A relative or friend who has not be awarded a blue badge, must not make use of one belonging to someone else, no matter how often they may drive that friend or relative who holds a badge.
Accessible parking bays (often wrongly referred to as disabled parking bays) are offered for the use and convenience of the badge holder, not for any other non badge holders who may leave the vehicle . If the badge holder does not leave the vehicle, then the parking bay is not serving its purpose and other disabled badge holders are being denied the use of that bay whilst it is so occupied. If the badge holder does not intend leaving the parked vehicle then it could easily be parked elsewhere whilst the badge holder waits, so thoughtfully freeing that bay for other badge holders to make use of.
The Blue Badge is accompanied by a set of guidance notes and rules that enable the holder to make use of the concessions in a thoughtful manner. Just because parking on yellow lines is an option, we must always be aware or the traffic conditions and local circumstances at the time. Traffic wardens and the police are entitled to move you on if they consider that your choice of parking position may be contrary to road safety or a potential cause of traffic congestion. Correctly used a Blue Badge can be a great boon to disabled people and as we would expect everyone who passes their driving test to be a considerate driver, so we trust that blue badge holders are just as considerate when parking and making good use of the concessions.
You can get a badge if:
- You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living allowance
- You receive a War Pensioners mobility Supplement
- You use a motor vehicle supplied for disabled people by a Government Health Department
- You are registered blind
- You hold a valid driving licence, have a severe disability in both upper limbs and cannot operate, or have considerable difficulty in operating all or some types of parking meter
- You have a permanent and substantial disability, which means you are unable to walk or have considerable difficulty in walking. In this case you will be asked to answer a series of questions to help the local authority determine whether you are eligible for a badge
How to apply.
All enquiries about the Blue Badge Scheme should be made through the City Council's Contact Centre.
Applications will require two passport sized photographs (Approx 4 cm x 3 cm ). They should show a recent likeness, be clear (in focus) and show the full face. Also a fee is due which in Sunderland is only £2 at this date (March 27 2009) but which may alter. Proof of Identity will also be required and proof of entitlement also. If you wish, ask about these points when contacting them.
The Contact Centre will provide:
- A telephone contact point available from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 6.30 pm
- A renewal service for people who qualify under the Automatic Scheme
- Accurate and timely information, accessible to all
- A more streamlined and efficient service from one central point
- Information on how you are eligible for the scheme
- A replacement service for those who may have lost their badge or had it stolen
Following your enquiry, the Contact Centre will send you an application pack. You will need to complete the application form and return it to the address shown here:
Customer Service Centre
PO Box 100
Sunderland. SR2 7DN
Upon receipt of the completed form, the City Council will determine whether a badge will be issued automatically or whether an assessment is required.
Telephone number for the Contact Centre : 0191 520 5510
Email: bluebadges@sunderland.gov.uk
Web: www.sunderland.gov.uk/bluebadges
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