Baggies fans are borrowing disabled people’s cars to park on double yellow lines near the ground on match days, according to traffic wardens.
A major clampdown on parking is set to be launched to try to combat the problem around The Hawthorns ground in West Bromwich.
Highways officials have had to install no parking and restricted areas at certain points near to the ground such as the A41 Expressway and Park Lane, to combat the number of drivers leaving their cars in dangerous places.
But in recent months there has been an increase in the number of disabled people parking on double yellow lines close to the ground, arousing suspicions from the council wardens.
Sandwell’s Cabinet member for highways Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: “We believe there has been a misuse of the blue badges,” he said.
“There seems to be a lot of people parking with blue badges. We cannot allow that to happen.”
Despite the increase in cars left with blue badges displayed in the windows, indicating a disabled driver, people have also been seen walking perfectly normally to the ground, despite displaying the distinctive blue pass.
The council says genuine disabled drivers are allowed to park on double yellow lines, as long as they are not causing an obstruction or a danger.
But the council says wardens now have the power to check people’s badges, which cannot be used by any other driver.
If drivers are caught by parking attendants misusing a blue badge they face a £30 on the spot fixed penalty notice and will be reported to the local authority.
The disabled driver who loaned out the badge also faces having their pass confiscated under the clampdown.
The council has approved a West Bromwich Albion Match Day Traffic Management and Safety Plan to combat the problem.
By Chris Howes
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