Blue Badge Scheme

What is the Blue Badge Scheme?

The Blue Badge (Disabled Persons’ Parking) Scheme was introduced in 1971 under Section 21 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 (‘the 1970 Act’).

The aim of the scheme is to help people with severe mobility problems caused by visible and non-visible (hidden) disabilities to access goods and services, by allowing them to park close to their destination. The scheme is open to eligible people regardless of whether they are travelling as a driver or as a passenger.

Who can apply for a Blue Badge?

Residents who may be issued with a blue badge without further assessment are those who fall within one or more of the automatic eligibility criteria:

• Receives the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (HRMCDLA)
• Receives the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and has obtained 8 points or more under the “moving around” activity
• Receives the mobility component of PIP and has obtained 10 points specifically for Descriptor E under the “planning and following journeys” activity, on the grounds that they are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause them overwhelming psychological distress
• Is registered blind (severely sight impaired)
• Receives a War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
• Has been both awarded a lump sum benefit at tariffs 1-8 of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme and certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking.

You may also qualify for a blue badge with further assessment if you are:

• A person who drives a vehicle regularly, has a severe disability in both arms and is unable to operate, or has considerable difficulty in operating, all, or some types of parking meter; or
• A person who has been certified by an expert assessor as having an enduring and substantial disability which causes them, during the course of a journey, to be unable to walk, experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress
• A person who may be at risk of serious harm when walking - or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person.

Children with medical conditions

Children under the age of three may be eligible for a Blue Badge with specific medical conditions if they must always be:

• Accompanied by bulky medical equipment which cannot be carried around with the child without great difficulty
• Near a motor vehicle so they can be treated in the vehicle or taken to a place where they can be treated.

Assessments for Blue Badges

If you do not meet the automatic eligibility criteria for a blue badge, you may qualify with further assessment. You will be placed on the waiting list for an assessment to be carried out by our independent expert assessor (SHA Disability consultancy Limited), who will arrange an appointment for you with a qualified assessor.

Due to the large number of applications being submitted, the current the waiting time for assessments is within 12 weeks.

Once the assessment has been completed the mobility support team will review the therapists report and provide a decision on the application submitted. To be eligible for a blue badge you must score 24 points or more in total on the assessment.

Parking with a Blue Badge

There are several places a blue badge holder can and cannot park across the borough. For more information on parking with a blue badge and responsibilities web page.

Application process

You can apply using the online service. Once an application has been submitted, the mobility support team will process the application.

Due to the increasing number of applications the process can take up to 12 weeks provided the correct information and documents have been submitted.

Once the application has been processed you will receive an update on your application outcome.

Apply for a blue badge

If you are unable to complete a form online, you can request a paper application by visiting the mobility contact form. Please note that postal applications may take longer than 12 weeks to process. 

Appeals process

You have the right to appeal if you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your application. You will need to submit your appeal within 8 weeks from the date of the outcome.

Your appeal will be investigated by the Mobility Support Team leader who will make the decision on your appeal. If the decision requires a further assessment an appointment will be arranged by out independent expert assessor. Once the assessment is complete a final decision on your application will be provided by the Head of Parking and Mobility.

If your appeal is unsuccessful, you will not be able to reapply for 6 months (from the date of the final decision outcome), unless there is a significant change in your mobility.

Submit an appeal

Replacing a lost, stolen or damaged blue badge

If your Blue Badge has been lost, stolen or damaged you can request a replacement blue badge, this maybe for yourself or someone else.

The Council may conduct random checks on lost or stolen badges displayed in the borough. 

A replacement badge is valid until the expiry date of the original badge.

If your badge is due to expire in less than 3 months, you need to re-apply instead.

Changes to your blue badge

If you have any changes to your blue badge please contact us straight away (this includes address or contact details) or change in circumstance.