Parking scheme for disabled people to be revamped

January 8, 2003 in Adults, Disability, Workforce

The government has agreed to press ahead with improvements to
the disabled persons parking scheme in line with amendments put
forward by the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.

The improvements, part of a UK-wide study of the blue badge
scheme, include reinforcing the eligibility criteria for badges and
looking at the feasibility of a national database of badge
holders.

The government has also announced cash support for the
“Baywatch” campaign that encourages the protection of disabled
persons’ parking bays in supermarket car parks.

Meanwhile, disabled people in London are set to receive a
further boost from April, when they will receive 24-hour free
travel on tube, bus and tram services compared to the current
arrangement of free access after 9am. This brings them into line
with the benefits offered to blind people.

London boroughs have agreed to provide nearly £170 million
to ensure the scheme, which is also open to older people, can go
ahead.