A Fife pensioner can’t get out and about because of a council delay in issuing a blue badge.
Agnes Young, 81, believed she had plenty of time to renew her existing badge.
Her daughter went online to renew the badge a full 22 days before its expiry date.
However, much to Mrs Young’s shock, she was told Fife Council had a backlog of eight weeks.
And it was only when the family called to find out when the new badge would be issued that they heard of the long wait.
The fact letters were not sent out by the local authority to advise people of the delay was “scandalous” she said.
“Why couldn’t they send a letter saying there is a backlog?” she asked.
Mrs Young has had increasing mobility problems since having a stroke during an operation five years ago which left her in intensive care for 10 days.
To compound that only two weeks later she suffered a broken hip.
“I had a blue badge before that, but my walking is not too good now at all,” she said.
Now she relies on others to drive her around, or on her mobility scooter for trips around Gauldry.
“The council said I could still use my old blue badge, but only in council-owned car parks.
“But I am never in a council car park so that’s no use.”
Earlier this week she had been treated to a visit to Dobbies in Monifieth but the day was spoiled as she was unable to use a disabled parking bay.
“My walking is terrible, I have to hold someone’s arm while I am walking,” she said.
“I am so angry.
“My complaint is the council never let us know about it.”
The council has pledged to try to resolve Mrs Young’s problem as soon as possible.
In response Anne Cowan, the lead professional for accessible transport and concessions at Fife Council, said: “Unfortunately we have an eight week back log of applications at the moment.
“Normally we ask for 28 days notice to renew blue badges and we apologise for this delay.
“We are working hard to process applications as fast as we can and clear the back log.
“We will speak to Mrs Young or her daughter to discuss her application and resolve the problem as soon as possible.”
