Express & Star

Disabled car parking badge refusals soar by 500 per cent in Walsall

The number of refusals of disabled parking blue badges have increased by 500 per cent over the course of the last five years, a Freedom of Information Act request has revealed.

Published

Figures obtained by MP Valerie Vaz and passed to the Express & Star show more than eight per cent of people applying to Walsall Council for a badge have been turned down in the past year.

It comes with just over 1.6 per cent in 2010.

Miss Vaz asked the council for figures after raising the concerns of an 82-year-old resident in the House of Commons.

She revealed that the pensioner had had a badge for 10 years but was refused it when it came to be renewed, despite her condition having not improved.

Walsall South MP Miss Vaz said: "I was contacted by an 82 year old senior citizen whose blue badge application was refused despite having one for 10 years and whose condition will not improve.

"I submitted a Freedom of Information request to find out the number of refusals.

"The FOI response shows that the rate of refusals has increased nearly fivefold from 1.63 per cent in 2010 to 8.01 per cent in the year to date.

"Refusal rates have increased every year over this period.

"Given that guidance has not changed and the number of applications are broadly the same, I do not see why there should be this increase."

"Having access to a car and a blue badge is often the lifeline that means people can live independent lives.

"Yet this is being denied to more and more people each year.

"Those who cannot walk long distances should be entitled to park free of charge and in designated spaces.

"The council's approach should reflect the fact that many applicants suffer from long term conditions which can fluctuate.

"A person could be able to walk a distance one day but unable to the next.

"The council should be encouraging people to lead independent lives."

When Miss Vaz raised the pensioner's case in the Commons, Councillor Mohammed Arif from Walsall Council said: "Supporting disabled people to help them keep their independence is a priority for Walsall Council.

"In line with Government Guidance all blue badge applications are considered on an individual basis using a system designed by medically trained occupational therapists.

"Each applicant is assessed against their mobility, not their medical condition."

He said people should ask for a review if they believe tha the decision made on their application is wrong.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.