Shropshire motorists fined £120,000 for illegally parking in disabled bays

Between the start of 2014 and the end of 2016, 516 fines were handed out for the misuse of parking in disabled bays in car parks, while 3,302 fines were handed out for the misuse of parking in on-street disabled bays, a Freedom of Information request submitted to Shropshire Council revealed.

As well as to issuing fines, criminal investigations have been carried out when it has been determined that the use of the badge has been misused or fraudulently used.

This can include using the badge without the holder present, using a deceased person's badge.

In 2014, there were nine investigations carried out, resulting in two prosecutions, three simple cautions and four warnings.

And in 2015, five investigations were carried out which resulted in two simple cautions and two warnings.

Last year, two investigations resulted in one simple caution and one warning.

Meanwhile, drivers were fined £4,620 by Telford & Wrekin Council in the last three years for the misuse of disabled parking bays in the borough's off-street car parks, a separate Freedom of Information request to Telford & Wrekin Council has revealed.

There has been no action taken other than fines by Telford & Wrekin Council.

In the same time period, 53 fines were issued by West Mercia Police for drivers parking in disabled bays without displaying blue badges in Telford & Wrekin, amounting to £1,590, a Freedom of Information request has revealed.

Three notices in 2015 were sent for prosecution.

Last year, in total 10 fines were collected amounting £300. There were two fines in Dawley, three in Newport, two in Oakengates and three in Wellington.

In 2015, there were considerably more fines, with 39 amounting to a total of £1,170. There were six fines collected in Dawley, 17 in Newport, and 16 in Wellington.

In 2014 there were just four penalty fines collected in the county, totalling £120, which were all in Wellington.

The chairwoman of Shropshire Disability Network, Ruby Hartshorn, said she is "concerned" that fewer fines were issued in Telford and Wrekin.

She said: "It is pleasing to hear that both Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin Council do issue fines regarding members of the public abusing the blue badge system.

"We are concerned that fewer fines were issued in Telford and Wrekin and that no action apart from fines has taken place especially as we receive more complaints from people about disability parking issues likewise the lack of other action.

"While it seems very few prosecutions take place, it is right that justice is brought so people need to be aware that they leave themselves open if they abuse the scheme and park inappropriately.

"We would ask that all motorists abide by the rules of the blue badge scheme enabling availability of designated disabled parking places for people who need them.

"Both our members and others often contact us around parking issues and we would like to see more publicity that those who fall foul of the law have action taken against them."

Russell Griffin, spokesman for Telford & Wrekin Council, said: "The figures in Telford and Wrekin are lower as we can only enforce within our off street car parks and responsibility for on street car park enforcement remains with the police.

"Shropshire’s higher figure is due to a large element of on street parking enforcement fines."

Chief Inspector Graham Preece of West Mercia Police said: "Police in Telford are carrying out parking enforcement duties at this time and are educating drivers, where priorities and resources allow, including those incidents relating to the misuse of the blue badge scheme.

"The blue badge scheme is essential to enable people with disabilities to actively engage in everyday life. Any abuse of disabled bays causes significant issues for blue badge users. It can mean the difference between getting to a medical appointment or not. There are many abuses to this scheme including those who misuse someone else's badge or continue to use it when it is no longer required.

"Misuse of a blue badge can cause significant distress, impacting upon the ability of blue badge users to engage in day to day activities, and may also constitute a criminal offence."