The Blue Badge Scheme allows disabled car drivers and those who drive elderly and disabled passengers parking concessions.
There are still many restrictions and in many car parks Blue Badge holders still have to pay parking charges.
In the past the Blue Badge renewal system has been straight forward but today I realised how this has changed.
One of my gentlemen at the youthful age of 94 had applied for his Blue Badge Renewal. In the post today he received a letter requesting him to attend an appointment 8 miles away for an assessment of his needs. He doesn’t drive and so would be reliant on a lift there,
The assessment with a qualified health professional was going to take an hour and he was to take all walking aids with him.
I fully understand that the Blue Badge scheme has been abused in the past and the government want to clamp down on this, however there is little financial gain here and a huge loss of independence.
Charles decided not to bother with his Blue Badge renewal as it was too much trouble. How many others will too ?
