New Bill to tackle disabled parking blue badge ‘misuse’

Proposed legislation aimed at strengthening enforcement of the blue badge scheme for disabled drivers is being launched.

Dennis Robertson will outline the details of his Disabled Persons’ Parking Badges (Scotland) Bill.

The Members’ Bill plans to give local authorities the power to cancel badges which have been reported lost or stolen and confiscate badges that are being misused, as well as provide a review process for applicants when their application is refused on eligibility grounds.

The blue badge scheme provides parking concessions for people with severely restricted mobility who have difficulty using public transport.

Mr Robertson said: “Blue badge misuse is socially unacceptable as it prevents badge holders from accessing the on-street parking concessions to which they are entitled.

“Tackling misuse will help disabled badge holders access services in the community and lead independent lives.

“I fully support the recent reforms to the blue badge scheme and the proposals I am outlining today will help to build on these.”