More than 8,500 fined for misusing disabled parking bays in Wolverhampton
More than 8,000 parking fines have been issued in Wolverhampton over the past five years to drivers who parked in disabled bays without a valid Blue Badge, new figures reveal.
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request by car retailer Evans Halshaw shows Wolverhampton council issued 8,583 penalty charge notices (PCNs) between 2019 and 2024 for misuse of disabled parking spaces.
The number of fines fell during the pandemic, dropping from 1,593 in 2019 to 1,153 in 2020, before gradually rising again in 2021 and 2022.
They then fell to a low of 999 in 2023, before surging sharply to 2,074 in 2024 — the highest level recorded in the six-year period.
The figures also show 573 repeat offenders were recorded over the same period — defined as drivers who received more than one fine for the same offence.
The highest number of repeat offenders was seen in 2024, with 160 people fined more than once.
A breakdown of locations revealed that some areas were particular hotspots for disabled bay misuse.
The streets with the highest number of fines were:
Cleveland Street: 1,383 fines
Greencroft: 1,161 fines
Cheapside: 935 fines
Julie Wallman, Evans Halshaw Divisional Marketing Director, commented: "Disabled parking bays exist to ensure safe and accessible travel for people with limited mobility, whether they’re heading to a supermarket, medical appointment, or just going about their day.
“When drivers use these spaces without a Blue Badge, it reduces availability for those who genuinely need them.
!These figures show just how common this issue is across Wolverhampton and the rest of the UK, and highlight the importance of keeping accessible spaces available, particularly as more people rely on mobility solutions to support independent living."
City of Wolverhampton Council have been contacted for a comment.
