A double amputee from Rosyth has received a blue badge after having his initial application rejected.
Tom Hannah, 73, had amputations carried out on his lower legs last year due to complications caused by an irregular heartbeat.
However, when he applied for a blue badge for his car in August, he was told by Fife Council he did not meet national criteria for the scheme.
“It’s taken some time to get sorted,” Mr Hannah told The Courier. “I had to fill out a form asking if I could walk anywhere. There is a square outside of my house that I thought I would try and walk around.
“My friend had to help me get around it and it took me 10 to 15 minutes.
“However, because I could walk more than 20 yards I was told I was not entitled to a blue badge. Fife Council said that it was Transport Scotland that set the regulations.”
Although he is relieved to have been awarded his permit, Mr Hannah said he has been left frustrated by the experience.
He said he still needs assistance whenever he goes outdoors, as he continues to adjust to life without his own legs.
“I still need someone to help me because if I fall I won’t be able to get up,” he added. “But at least this blue badge will give me some amount of freedom.”
Anne Cowan, who is the council’s lead professional for concessions, said of Mr Hannah’s application: “When evaluating an application for a blue badge, all councils must follow a code of practice issued by Transport Scotland.
“This is national practice, not council policy, and the rules laid out in this guidance are very specific.
“Common sense would have suggested that he’d be eligible for a blue badge, but the way his mobility had been described in his application, on the face of it, he did not meet national scheme criteria. We explained this to Mr Hannah over the phone.
“We invited him for a mobility assessment and, following this assessment, have issued his blue badge.”
A Transport Scotland spokeman said: “Transport Scotland is responsible for the legislation of the blue badge scheme, and local authorities are responsible for interpreting the legislation and implementing administrative, assessment and enforcement arrangement for their area.
“Guidance on the scheme is provided to local authorities by Transport Scotland. The guidance aims to support the consistent interpretation of the legislation of the scheme across Scotland and was developed in partnership with local authorities, health professionals and disability organisations.
“However, responsibility for interpreting the eligibility criteria is held by local authorities, including the factors taken into consideration during the course of eligibility decisions.”