Telford disabled drivers to pay for Blue Badges

Disabled people in Telford are to be asked to pay when applying for Blue Badges in future, it was revealed today.

Telford & Wrekin Council says the £10 fee will be introduced to cover the cost of new legislation introduced by the Government on Blue Badges. Chiefs have revealed that it will cost the authority nearly £60,000 a year to oversee and administer the new system.

Shropshire Council said the situation for disabled Blue Badge holders in its part of the county was under review but no decisions had been made.

Nationally, ministers have recently completed a review of the Blue Badge scheme and a number of changes are being made from January next year.

They include new eligibility criteria, new processes for the authorisation and assessment of issuing badges, and a new charging scheme.

Councillor Hilda Rhodes, cabinet member for transport for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "These are national Government changes to the disabled Blue Badge scheme that we must adhere to.

"We are also seeking approval to introduce a £10 fee for successful applications from January, 2012.

"The changes in the scheme will require the council to cover a number of additional costs to meet its statutory obligations of administering the Blue Badge Scheme and the £10 application fee, which covers the full three years of issue, will assist in meeting those costs.

"Over half of the fee will be sent on to the Government appointed contractor for the production of the Blue Badge. The remainder will be retained by the council and will go towards covering some of the additional costs of the new scheme, which equate to a £58,470 net operating budget each year."

The new Government system will create a centralised online application form, though there will still be the option of applying by post or at First Point.

A public national helpline will deal with all general inquiries, while a centralised database of all Blue Badges issued will be created to aid enforcement against fraudulent misuse.

The new Blue Badge will be the same size but have a new design similar to that of a driving licence.

The Blue Badge Scheme is a Government-controlled scheme overseen by the Department for Transport.

It controls the relevant legislation, issues operational guidance and provides leaflets and information to the public.

By Wayne Beese