Blue Badges awarded rises in county

Figures from the Department of Transport show that Telford & Wrekin has a higher rate of people with a Blue Badge compared to the rate for the whole of England, while Shropshire falls just below.

According to the most recent figures, there are 7,902 people with a Blue Badge in Telford & Wrekin, compared to 7,825 in 2017 – equal to 4.5 per cent of the population and higher than the rate for the whole of the country at 4.2 per cent.

In Shropshire, 13,108 people have a Blue Badge, compared to 12,865 in 2017 – equal to 4.1 per cent of the population.

Across the country, 2.35 million badges have been given out by local authorities to people with disabilities or individuals and organisations concerned with their care. The badges allow the holders to park closer to their destination and remain for longer and are valid for three years.

Automatically

Blue Badges can be issued automatically to some people, such as those receiving higher levels of disability allowance or registered blind. Other badges are subject to further assessments.

In Shropshire, in the 12 months to March 2018, 4,985 new badges were issued, 2,141 automatically and 2,784 after a further assessment.

In Telford and Wrekin during the same period, 2,912 new badges were issued, 1,579 automatically and 1,320 after a further assessment.

But the data shows that just 53 per cent of those automatically eligible for a badge have one.

Important

Kamran Mallick, chief executive of Disability Rights UK said that a difference in Blue Badge usage across the country was partly the result of the availability of accessible public transport. He said that people in rural areas were more dependent on cars.

He added: "The Blue Badge scheme is an important and essential part of ensuring that we, disabled people, can participate and live our lives in society.

"With public transport not universally accessible the use of a car is essential for many. Being able to park closer to the destination is essential for badge holders and can mean the difference between going out or not."

In 2019 the scheme will be extended to allow people with 'hidden disabilities' such as autism and mental health problems to apply.

In launching the extension, the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Sarah Newton said: "It is absolutely right that disabled people are able to go about their daily life without worrying about how they will get from one place to another.

"We're taking an important step forward in ensuring people with hidden disabilities get the support they need to live independently."

Mr Mallick said the extension was a welcome change.

He added: "If we are to truly have an inclusive society that works for everyone, the Blue Badge is an essential component of this."