The restriction of Blue Badge use in York city centre since November 2021 has created distinctly negative impacts for local and visiting disabled people.
What is happening with Blue Badges in York?
Blue Badges are issued to disabled people or those with other relevant conditions. This is so they can park closer to their destination without fear of receiving a parking fine and receive equal access to amenities and facilities.
However, in the city of York there have been some instrumental changes to Blue Badge policy made by York City Council. This situation caused some significant difficulties to those living with disabilities who have a Blue Badge and want to park in the city.
Prior to November 2021, legitimate Blue Badge holders could easily use their badge to park with ease and convenience within the city’s pedestrianised areas, therefore achieving the same freedoms and opportunities as those not requiring a badge.
Then York City Council decided in late 2021 that there needed to be a change due to anti-terrorism protections they felt should be installed in the city. As a result, anti-terror bollards to protect against possible attacks were fitted.
Although this is an essential consideration nowadays, the lifestyle and general life quality of those living with disabilities who want to park in York have been adversely affected.
How have people reacted to Blue Badge changes in York?
There have been quite powerful responses to the Blue Badge restrictions instigated by York City Council since 2021. In fact, a protest group has formed called Reverse The Ban, which has garnered significant support from diverse quarters, including Dame Judy Dench.
Reverse The Ban are a coalition of charities, associations, action groups and other related organisations who want to reverse the decision to restrict the use of Blue Badges in pedestrianised areas of York city centre.
Celebrity supporters
As a native York resident, Dame Judy Dench has opposed the Blue Badge ban:
“As someone living with sight loss, I know only too well how gaining access to places can be exceptionally difficult. York city centre should be fully accessible through these types of schemes.” *
For many in the disabled community, this action was deemed to be associated with disabled discrimination. Those with an official Blue Badge who had been happily using these before 2021 were then unable to continue visiting the city centre as before, reducing their equal access to the pedestrianised areas of the city.
Political Blue Badge support
In addition, there are political supporters who feel this decision needs to be reversed, including the new Labour councillors in York. There are suggestions that they will reverse the Blue Badge ban now they have been elected to the council in May 2023.
“A balance can be struck that allows Blue Badge holders to ‘easily access the city centre’ without endangering the public. York Labour group has argued all along that this is so.” **
To gain a detailed perspective on the situation in York, Reverse The Ban commissioned some of York Law School’s law students to prepare a report on the ban.
This report looked into the issues and found that the removal of access had significant and broad consequences, not only affecting Blue Badge holders but also family members and carers.
The real dangers to parking for everyone
Poor parking in cities can be a real pain for everyone. But there is little doubt that empowering people with disabilities to park safely and legally should be an inevitable aspect of council policy across the country.
It has been said that the real danger to towns, cities and villages is not the ability for people to park properly but the misuse of Blue Badges. Tackling Blue Badge fraud is good for everybody’s protection to help keep both environments and people safe.
Blue Badge misuse and fraud
In March 2022, the government announced their annual Blue Badge statistics, reporting that 6,183 badges had either been lost or stolen during the previous 12 months.***
This data points to the fact that Blue Badge misuse is a key issue that needs to be addressed by government and local councils so that badges can be used appropriately by legitimate badge holders.
It’s challenging to reduce or eliminate Blue Badge fraud, but this is a vital action in helping support the needs of people living with disabilities and the better, smoother running of our towns and cities.
At BBFI (The National Agency For Blue Badge Fraud Investigations), we work closely in partnership with a range of government agencies and local council organisations to help minimise and stop Blue Badge misuse.
How we help reduce Blue Badge fraud
BBFI is a Community Interest Company, that acts in the best interest of society and for local community groups that may be vulnerable or who need support.
We are a team of experienced investigators, including ex or retired police officers, who partner with local authorities to investigate and prosecute those that are misusing Blue Badges.
Each day, we help local authorities in their battle against badge fraud and gather essential evidence to ensure badge prosecution cases can be successful fought and won.
BBFI are the only agency tackling Blue Badge misuse. Local authorities find partnering with us helps them reduce Blue Badge fraud. If you’re a local authority looking for help in this area, get in touch.
Contact us to find out how we can help to enforce the Blue Badge scheme in your local area to increase compliance and improve safety for local people.
References
** https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23454367.labour-will-reverse-yorks-disastrous-blue-badge-ban/
